Manchester United and Arsenal could help Ukraine in their bid to beat Scotland to World Cup place

Ukraine could be helped by a host of Premier League clubs in their bid to reach the World Cup.

Scotland's playoff opponents have reached out to the likes of Manchester United and Arsenal in the hope of arranging a fundraising friendly match as they look to get match sharpness ahead of the proposed Hampden clash in June.

Oleksandr Petrakov's side were due to play their World Cup qualifying playoff against the Scots on March 24 but it was postponed in the wake of Russia's invasion of the Eastern European country.

They are unable to train domestically amid fears Russia would attack them.

As a result Petrakov has asked the Ukrainian FA to liaise with UEFA over the possibility of his squad gathering abroad, potentially in the UK for a series of matches.

He told The Guardian he wants to play: "Bayern Munich, Manchester United, Manchester City, Arsenal. We could play at Wembley, for example, against a London club.

"It could be a good exhibition game, a response for the Ukrainian army, as well as preparatory work for the Scotland game."

Petrakov believes it will take five or six games for his players to get back up to speed. With some of his stars still away on military duty.

"We have to play because without the [practice] games, it would be very hard to get to play with Scotland."

The 64-year-old also opened up on his stance to not leave the war torn country and stand firm despite horror breaking out around him.

Petrakov replaced Andriy Shevchenko as Ukraine boss in August and made the brave decision not to flee Ukraine when Russia's invasion began.

"My family told me to go to western Ukraine but I refused," he added.

"I said: 'I am from Kyiv, I can't leave'.

"I didn't think it would be correct as people have to defend