GHANA AND Hearts of Oak star Emmanuel Osei Kuffour has left for the Ukraine and a two-day trial with Shakhtar Donetsk.

Kuffour has been accompanied by his agent and the trial is with a view to a more permanent transfer later on this year.

The deal has been put on hold because Shakhtar had not personally seen Kuffour in action. The trial has been scheduled for some weeks but Kuffour's key involvement in Ghana's World Cup and African Nations Cup qualifying matches has delayed it.

Kuffour has stated that he intends to play for Hearts of Oak in the World Club Championships in Spain before he considers any move abroad.

Meanwhile, another Hearts of Oak player, Amankwah Mireku returned last week from a five-day trial with Shakhtar and featured for the Black Stars in their match against DR Congo.

Mireku is awaiting developments on a move to the Ukraine but has also made it clear that he would play in Spain before any foreign move.