LEIPZIG, Germany _ Andriy Shevchenko feels fit to play in Ukraine's first World Cup match against Spain.

The decision on whether the striker will take the field on Wednesday will be up to coach Oleh Blokhin, however.

"I feel quite well," Shevchenko said Tuesday. "The coach will decide this evening whether I can play on his team. I am ready for any decision he might make."

Ukraine will make its World Cup debut against Spain in Group H. Tunisia and Saudi Arabia are also in the group.

Shevchenko, the 2004 European player of the year who recently signed with Chelsea, sprained his left knee while playing with former club AC Milan on May 7.

"I haven't decided on Shevchenko yet," Blokhin said. "I will discuss this with him. We don't want to use him too early."

Blokhin has been evasive about Shevchenko's fitness and is expected to wait until an hour before the game to announce his decision.

But Ukraine striker Serhiy Rebrov said he thought Shevchenko would start against Spain.

"He is fine. I think he will play tomorrow," Rebrov said.