Sheva to miss FA Cup final

Surgery had originally been scheduled for the end of the season but after the Ukraine international missed the Chelsea's last two games with the complaint, the club's medical department have decided to bring the operation forward.

The FA Cup final returns to Wembley on May 19 for the first time since Chelsea beat Aston Villa in 2000.

It completes a disappointing debut campaign in English football for the Ukraine international, with media reportssuggesting he may leave the Londoners in the close season.

Shevchenko joined Chelsea from AC Milan for a fee of £30 million last May but has struggled to recapture the dazzling form he showed during his seven years in Italy.

The 30-year-old has often looked leaden-footed and off the pace during his time at Stamford Bridge. Shevchenko has notched 14 goals for Chelsea but only four have come in the Premier League.

One bright spot came in the 2-1 victory over Valencia in the Champions League quarter-final second leg when he scored a goal and played a pivotal role at the Mestalla Stadium.

Shevchenko's injury caused him to miss last Tuesday's Champions League semi-final defeat by Liverpool and the 1-1 league draw with Arsenal on Sunday.

His absence means Chelsea will rely heavily on his 31-goal strike partner Didier Drogba in the FA Cup final.