Injury ends World Cup for Ukraine's Voronin

BERLIN, June 28 (Reuters) Ukraine striker Andriy Voronin will miss the rest of the World Cup because of a thigh injury, leaving the team to find a new partner for Andriy Shevchenko ahead of Friday's quarter-final against Italy.

''He has slightly torn his thigh muscle,'' team spokesman Igor Miroshnychenko told Reuters today. ''He will be out for two weeks.'' Voronin picked up the injury during Ukraine's second-round game against Switzerland on Monday, which went to a penalty shootout that Ukraine won 3-0.

The 26-year-old Voronin works well with Shevchenko, one of the world's most feared strikers, and the pair have played together in every match in the tournament so far.

Coach Oleg Blokhin could replace him with Andriy Vorobei, who started against Switzerland on Monday when attacking midfielder Serhiy Rebrov was dropped to the bench.

With Voronin out, the experienced Rebrov is likely to return to the starting line-up.

Also back in the frame for Friday's match in Hamburg is defender Volodymir Yezersky, who missed the last three games with a thigh injury.

''He has been back in full training. If Blokhin needs to use him, he is ready to play,'' said Miroshnychenko.

The game kicks off at 1900 GMT on Friday and the winner will face either Germany or Argentina in the semi-finals.

REUTERS

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