Andriy Shevchenko is convinced he can fight his way back into AC Milan's plans this year.

"I feel reborn," he told the Corriere dello Sport. "Both on the field and off, I am a new man. I must thank Milan for that.

"Those who think I am a flop are wrong, because I openly said in the summer what my main objective was in coming back to Milan.

"It was to become a real player again after two difficult years, above all down to injuries."

So far Sheva has been overshadowed by Ronaldinho, Alexandre Pato and David Beckham, but expects 2009 to be his year.

"I am certain of it. One of my aims is to continue and in the end finish my career here at Milan, so I want this club to be my future.

"You will see the hitman back again very soon, because I think I have finally completed my recovery process, both physically and psychologically."