LONDON: Ukraine forward Andriy Yarmolenko has been given time off by West Ham after his country’s invasion by Russia.

Yarmolenko was born in Russia to Ukrainian parents, who moved back to their homeland when he was a child.

Hammers manager David Moyes said: “He’s not in a very good position at the moment – we’ve given him a few days off.

“I spoke with him yesterday and he was upset, which you can imagine. We just hope his family keep safe.”

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola said full-back Oleksandr Zinchenko has been affected by the invasion of his homeland but would be available for selection if required against Everton on Saturday.

Guardiola added: “It’s a worry, what we feel with our country where we were born. Killing innocent people, how would you feel? I guess that’s how he feels.

“Of course it’s close to him. Of course he has our support. It happened in the country he was born, he loves, it’s attacked from outside. He’s tough and knows we are here.”

Zinchenko, 25, joined a vigil outside Manchester’s Central Library on Thursday evening in support of his homeland.

The building in Manchester city centre was lit up in the blue and yellow colours of the Ukrainian flag in solidarity.

Zinchenko posted an image of the vigil on his Instagram page with the caption “No War! Pray for Ukraine.”

If he features at Goodison Park on Saturday he could go up against international team-mate Vitaly Mykolenko, who joined Everton from Dynamo Kyiv in January.

Toffees boss Frank Lampard says he will speak to the 22-year-old full-back before making a decision over his selection.

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