LONDON - Chelsea striker Andriy Shevchenko said he has been left baffled as to why manager Jose Mourinho has not played him this season.

The Blues claim Shevchenko, 30, is still recovering from hernia surgery despite the player having scored in a charity game in Ukraine this week.

"I don't know why Mourinho isn't playing me - I don't understand it," said the Ukrainian.

"But I'm not worried. I will just wait for my chance to come.'

The striker, who was signed from AC Milan for £30 million last year, has failed to live up to expectations at Stamford Bridge.

During his first season, Shevchenko scored 14 goals from 51 matches before the hernia surgery meant he had to miss the Champions League semifinal against Liverpool and the FA Cup final.

Meanwhile, former club Dynamo Kiev have said they are interested in taking the player on loan, while AC Milan claim they were priced out by Chelsea in their attempt to re-sign Shevchenko. - BBC