Ukraine Coach Unlikely to Pick Shevchenko

Ukraine striker Andriy Shevchenko is doubtful for next month's Euro 2008 qualifier against France.

Ukraine striker Andriy Shevchenko is doubtful for next month's Euro 2008 qualifier against France, national coach Oleg Blokhin was quoted as saying on Tuesday.

Shevchenko is due to have hernia surgery on Tuesday and will also miss the FA Cup final between Chelsea and Manchester United later this month.

"As national coach, I will of course regret Shevchenko's absence but if he needs an operation, we will have to deal with this in appropriate fashion," the Ukrainian soccer federation quoted Blokhin as saying on its Web site.

"Only the player and the doctors are in a position to assess the situation and decide on treatment and recovery."

Ukraine take on France in a Group B fixture in Paris on June 2. Both sides, along with Scotland, have 12 points.