Ukraine sweating on Shevchenko's temperature

KIEV, Oct 4 (Reuters) Ukraine striker Andriy Shevchenko is suffering from a high temperature and may miss the Euro 2008 qualifier against world champions Italy on Saturday, coach Oleg Blokhin said today.

''Last night his temperature rose sharply to 38.6. The doctors believe it is possible he has a viral infection,'' Blokhin told a news conference at the team's base outside Kiev.

''If it continues for another day or two, he will not be in proper condition to play. It is therefore uncertain whether he will be in the line-up for Saturday's match.'' Blokhin said doctors were keeping a close watch on the Chelsea striker, but wanted to avoid using particular medicines to abide strictly by anti-doping regulations.

Ukraine won their opening match in the qualifying tournament, defeating Georgia 3-2. Italy have so far earned only a single point from two matches against Lithuania and France.

As well as Shevchenko, Blokhin has injuries to Sergei Rebrov and Ruslan Rotan of Dynamo Kiev.

Ukraine were beaten 3-0 by Italy in the quarter-finals of their first World Cup finals appearance earlier this year.

However, Blokhin believes that defeat will not have a bearing on this match.

''After two matches, I can conclude that although Italy are strong we can take them on,'' he said. ''Our 3-0 loss in the world championship does not reflect our relative strengths.'' REUTERS AB BD2129