Stepanenko will not help the Ukraine national team in October matches of the Nations League

Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder Taras Stepanenko was injured in the second half of his team's match against Italian Atalanta (0:3) in the second leg of the Europa League second round and was forced to be replaced.

According to sports doctor Dmytro Babelyuk, the 35-year-old player has a muscle injury and he will be back in action in three weeks at the earliest. This means that Stepanenko will not help the Ukraine national team in October's Nations League matches - against Georgia (October 11) and the Czech Republic (October 14).

"Due to a muscle injury Taras Stepanenko left the field. A similar situation as Tsygankov, only there was no sprint. Sharp movement of the leg, which forms a muscle sprain.

On the background of fatigue, most likely, the muscle failed. Taras felt the problem and left the field limping.

Here is a typical story - 3-4 weeks is the least time needed for recovery. However, at a more solid soccer age, this period is usually stretched in order to ensure safety for the player and prevent relapses," Babelyuk wrote in his Telegram channel.