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KIEV, Nov 14 (Reuters) - A series of injuries have left Ukraine coach Oleg Blokhin with a depleted squad for the final two Euro 2008 qualifiers against Lithuania and France.
"If I have one more player go down with an injury, I may even have to take to the field myself," Blokhin told reporters at a news conference.
He read out a list of unavailable players, including defenders Olexander Kucher, Andriy Rusol, Andriy Nesmachniy and midfielder Maxym Kalynychenko.
Blokhin said defenders Serhiy Fyodorov, Volodymyr Yezersky and goalkeeper Olexander Shovkovsky, suffering with a head cold, were doubtful for the matches.
Ukraine have Liverpool's Andriy Voronin and Chelsea striker Andriy Shevchenko back to fitness but Blokhin thought the injuries underscored the team's lack of depth and long-term weaknesses.
"You have to look deeper. We have already squeezed out everything we could from the potential available to us," he said.
"With players... operating on several fronts -- the Ukrainian championship, European cups and the national side, it is very clear that the guys simply cannot keep pace with this."
Ukraine, who cannot qualify for next year's Euro finals, play Lithuania on Saturday and then host Group B leaders France four days later.
France have 25 points, one more than Scotland and two more than world champions Italy. Ukraine have 16 points in fourth place, six more than the Lithuanians.
Blokhin, who last month threatened to quit if Ukraine failed to qualify for the finals, said he would remain in place for the moment.
"Anything is possible. Being a coach is like that -- today you're working, tomorrow you're not," he said.
"I will have to discuss the matter with the Ukrainian soccer federation president. I have had proposals from clubs but am holding no talks. That would not be correct." (Writing by Ron Popeski; Editing by Alison Wildey)
