Ukraine call-up Khacheridi for qualifiers
KIEV - Ukraine have bolstered their squad for this month's crucial World Cup qualifiers by giving a first call up to centre-back Evhen Khacheridi, the country's football federation announced on Monday.
Coach Olexiy Mykhaylychenko has added the 22-year-old Dynamo Kiev player to his squad for Saturday's match at home to England and the visit to Andorra four days later, the federation said on its website.
Ukraine are battling with Croatia for runners-up spot in Group Six behind England, who have already qualified for next year's finals in South Africa with two matches to spare.
Croatia are second with 17 points from nine games while Ukraine are third on 15 from eight. The best eight runners-up from the nine European groups go into two-legged playoffs for the remaining four places alongside the group winners.