Reyna ready for Czechs
12 Jun 2006 - 13:51:40
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- Reyna ready for Czechs
Claudio Reyna has handed USA coach Bruce Arena a boost in the build-up to their Group E opener against the Czech Republic by recovering from a hamstring strain.
The Manchester City star suffered the injury in a friendly against Morocco on 23 May but has declared himself fit for the Gelsenkirchen clash.
Arena is also confident that John O'Brien will be fit enough to start the match.
The Stars and Stripes have only ever won twice in Europe during Arena's eight-year tenure, but they reached the quarter-finals of the World Cup four years ago in Korea and Japan before losing to Germany.
They easily qualified for this year's tournament and have a strong spine with Kasey Keller, Reyna, DaMarcus Beasley and Brian McBride all experienced campaigners.
The Czech Republic have had injury concerns in the weeks before the tournament but most of their problems appear to have eased.
Playmaker Tomas Rosicky, who recently completed his transfer from Borussia Dortmund to Arsenal, has recovered from the thigh injury he sustained in last month's friendly against Saudi Arabia and was forced to sit out the warm-up matches with Costa Rica and Trinidad and Tobago.
Pavel Nedved returned to training on Friday, but Milan Baros' hopes of playing in the Group E opener are fading fast.
Nedved was unable to complete Thursday's session after injuring his left knee in a collision with David Rozehnal, but coasted through Friday's workout without any further scares. However, Baros was unable to train with the rest of the squad because of a foot problem.
The Aston Villa striker picked up the injury during last weekend's friendly against Trinidad & Tobago and his condition has shown little sign of improvement.
Karel Bruckner's side are one of the dark horses for the competition after impressing at Euro 2004 when they reached the semi-finals before losing to eventual winners Greece.
They were forced to qualify for Germany via the play-offs - beating Norway 1-0 home and away in November - after finishing as runners-up to group winners Holland.