Zinchenko faces doubt over Ajax spell after early debut injury

Oleksandr Zinchenko could already have seen his Ajax spell end after suffering a left-knee injury just two-and-a-half minutes into his first home start for the club. He collided with Dimitrios Limnios, required on-field treatment and was helped off into the dressing room.

Ajax boss Fred Grim said the severity was unclear and that Zinchenko would undergo an MRI "tomorrow or the day after." The early withdrawal cast a shadow over a 4-1 home win, which featured goals from Jorthy Mokio, Rayane Bounida and a Mika Godts brace. The 29-year-old had reportedly accepted a hefty pay cut to join Ajax from Arsenal in February to preserve his World Cup prospects and captain Ukraine in North America.

There are concerns he could miss the tournament if the knee injury proves serious; Ukraine face Sweden in a qualifier next month, with the winner then due to face either Poland or Albania for a place at the finals.

oleksandr zinchenko, ajax, knee injury, dimitrios limnios, fred grim, mri, world cup, arsenal, ukraine, sweden