Czech Rep v Poland preview - Injuries for both sides ahead of crunch Group A encounter

Tomas Rosicky: Czech Republic captain is hoping to shake off an Achilles injury

Fight

Poland boss Franciszek Smuda knows exactly what it will take to progress following successive 1-1 draws with Greece and Russia.

He said: "First of all, we have to play good football. Secondly, we have to fight from the first to the last whistle."

As well as Polanski, Smuda has doubts over defender Damien Perquis and midfielder Dariusz Dudka, adding: "If we had no problems with injuries, I would really like to use the same line-up as we had against Russia, but maybe those injuries will impact our decision and we'll have to make some changes."

Smuda's other major selection dilemma revolves around whether to recall Wojciech Szczesny in goal or keep faith with Przemyslaw Tyton, who saved a penalty after Szczesny was sent off against Greece.

Asked who his goalkeeper would be, Smuda joked: "Definitely not me. Whoever's between the posts.

"We have many question marks. We have some injuries. Tomorrow, we'll take the final decision."

Czech Republic have injury concerns of their own but goalkeeper Petr Cech looked to have recovered from a shoulder problem after coming through training unscathed.

Rosicky worry

The same could not be said for captain Tomas Rosicky, who sat out the session with the Achilles injury that forced him off during Tuesday's 2-1 win over Greece.

Rosicky said: "It's getting better but we decided that I will not train tonight and we will wait until tomorrow."

The Arsenal midfielder played down fears his absence would have a devastating impact on his team-mates.

"What I'm feeling in the team is great hope, a great chance to go to the quarter-finals," he said.

"Of course, the guys are worried if I play or not. But we hope to go through. We've got a great opportunity here and we are aware of it, and we want to grab this chance and go through."

A draw should be enough for the Czechs to progress unless Greece manage to shock Russia in the other final group game and coach Michal Bilek was not afraid for his side to be cast as the villains.

"We want to go to the quarter-final," he said. "Right now, it's one or the other and we will do our utmost to achieve this goal.

"Of course, we respect our opponent but we are not scared. We don't want to say goodbye to the Euros and we want to go through."

« Previous12Next »