Shevchenko to blank English media

Troubled striker Andriy Shevchenko has vowed to blank the English media after becoming the "scapegoat' for Chelsea's current crisis.

The Ukrainian striker hit back at suggestions he was the cause of unrest between his team-mates and a row between coach Jose Mourinho and owner Roman Abramovich.

In a lengthy statement, reproduced on his official website, the under-fire forward re iterated his desire to remain at Chelsea and fight for his place in Mourinho's side.

It was Shevchenko's alleged close relationship with Abramovich and his desire to bring in Avram Grant to the club to try and get the best out of the former AC Milan striker, which sparked the problems between coach and owner.

But Shevchenko was keen to dismiss suggestions he seeks favours or reports back to Abramovich about the goings-on among the squad and has now decided to stop talking to the English media - unless asked to do so by the club.

Shevchenko declared: "There have been a lot of quotes coming out from me that I don't even know where they've come from.

"They have caused a lot of hurt to me and my family. From now on other than sanctioned club press conferences all my comments will appear here on my official website."

Shevchenko also distanced himself from any relationship with Grant, currently in a technical role at Portsmouth, and said Chelsea's alleged interest in the coach had nothing to do with him.

Shevchenko added: "Avram Grant? I know who he is but I don't know him. I only know that he was coach of Israel, but it doesn't concern me if he comes or does not come.

"This is a decision the club makes. I am just here to play. It is hard when you are thrown in the middle of everything."

Shevchenko is fit for selection for Saturday's all-important clash with Liverpool at Anfield after training with the squad following his buttock muscle injury.

Chelsea will be hoping to cut Manchester United's lead at the top of the Barclays Premiership against the Reds as Sir Alex Ferguson's side play Arsenal on Sunday.

Shevchenko added: "If the manager decides I am not capable, I just have to work harder. It doesn't matter what I think. I remain positive.

"The situation is I came as a new player, the fee was high and the expectation was high and I've been attacked from all sides.

"I am disappointed in some of my performances so far. It's a period where I have not been doing very well. I'm working on it and I want to give 100 per cent.

"Anywhere you go you need time to understand things and you need luck and I haven't had that in recent times. I want to show people the real me - I'm really moved by the support I get from the fans. When I play I can see that the fans in the stadium are really behind me and give me a lot of support."

Chelsea have been boosted by Petr Cech's fitness after the Czech international was given the all-clear to resume playing by specialists.

He could now be in line for a return to action against Liverpool on Saturday at the expense of Portuguese stopper Hilario.

The Czech international has been sidelined since fracturing his skull in a collision with Reading's Stephen Hunt back in October.

The goalkeeper will be required to wear a specially protective helmet when he returns to the game.