Wednesday Jun 14 2006 07:47
Czech Republic striker Jan Koller will not feature again in the group stage of the World Cup after straining a hamstring during Monday's 3-0 win against the USA.
It was initially thought Koller would miss the rest of the tournament, but team doctor Jiri Foucek is optimistic he could return to action if the Czechs reach the quarter-finals.
"It could be anything between 10 days and six weeks," said Foucek. "We hope that he would be able to play in a quarter-final."
Foucek is less upbeat about the fitness of Koller's usual strike partner Milan Baros, who missed the victory against the USA with a foot injury.
There are fears the Aston Villa frontman may not be able to play any part in the finals and the doctor admitted: "I don't know (when he'll be fit) exactly, we'll see."
The Czech attack was weakened before the tournament got underway when the versatile Vladimir Smicer was ruled out by a thigh injury, meaning they will have to rely on Vratislav Lokvenc and Marek Heinz for the remaining Group E games against Ghana and Italy.
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