Milan leaving space in squad for Shevchenko

Milan vice president Adriano Galliani said yesterday a space will be kept open in the squad for Andriy Shevchenko if he decides to return to the Champions League finalists.

The Ukraine striker has struggled in his first season in England with Chelsea and has been constantly linked with a move back to the San Siro, where he spent seven successful years.

"Sheva remains in our hearts, he and his wife have been invited to Athens to follow the Champions League final," Galliani told a news conference.

"As for the future, let's see, he is a Chelsea player. Anyway, he knows, we will keep a place open for a few months as after his marriage Kaka has freed up a non-European Union place."

Milan face Liverpool in the Champions League final in the Greek capital on May 23 after the English side beat Shevchenko's Chelsea in the semi-finals.

Shevchenko remains close to Milan's hierarchy and media reports have said his wife was behind their move to London.