Ukraine set to name assistant coach Oleksandr Shovkovskiy on the BENCH for France friendly with national side turning to 45-year-old who retired in 2016 after being left with just ONE fit goalkeeper in Georgiy Bushchan
- Ukraine face France in an international friendly on Wednesday evening
- The Eastern European nation face a goalkeeping crisis – with just one player fit
- Their 45-year-old assistant coach Oleksandr Shovkovskiy will be on the bench
- The former Dynamo Kiev shot-stopper retired from football in 2016
Ukraine have been forced to turn to their assistant head coach in a bid to solve their goalkeeping crisis ahead of their friendly against France.
Andriy Shevchenko has been left with just one fit shot-stopper in the form of Dynamo Kiev’s Georgiy Bushchan, after three others all tested positive for Covid-19.
As a result, 45-year-old Oleksandr Shovkovskiy, who last played for his country in 2012, is set to take his place on the bench to face the world champions.
Oleksandr Shovkovskiy retired from football in 2016, having made 92 appearances for Ukraine
Confirming the news in a statement on their official website, the country’s football association said: ‘Due to the fact that there is only one healthy goalkeeper left in the national team of Ukraine, the coaching staff of the blue-yellows decided to include in the application for a friendly game with France the assistant head coach Oleksandr Shovkovsky.
‘Note that the UEFA regulations allow to include in the list of participants of the match, including players who do not have a professional contract with any club, but are citizens of the country represented by the team.’
The statement went on to confirm that they do not intend for Shovkovskiy, who retired from the game in 2016, to take to the pitch, saying he will only do so should Bushchan record a positive coronavirus test, or get injured during the match.
The results of the most recent round of testing for Ukraine players are expected by 2pm.
Andriy Schevchenko (left) has been left with only one fit keeper – Georgiy Buschchan (right)