Cech and Rosicky in Czech squad for Aviva

Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech and Arsenal midfielder Tomas Rosicky were included in the Czech Republic squad for next week’s friendly against Ireland.

Coach Michal Bilek has all his major stars available for the February 29 match in the Aviva Stadium, except defender Zdenek Pospech and striker Tomas Necid, who have long-term knee injuries.

Bilek has called up Viktoria Plzen defender Frantisek Rajtoral, who could make his first international appearance.

Galatasaray striker Milan Baros, formerly of Liverpool, and Bordeaux midfielder Jaroslav Plasil are also included in the 20-man squad.

Defensive midfielder Tomas Hubschman of Shakhtar Donetsk, who was suspended and missed the playoffs against Montenegro, has returned to the team. The Czechs will play another warm-up match against Israel on May 26 and take on Hungary on June 1 before opening their European Championship campaign against Russia on June 8. Greece and co-host Poland are also in the same group.

CZECH REPUBLIC Squad: Goalkeepers: P Cech (Chelsea), J Drobny (Hamburg).

Defenders: T Gebre Selassie (Liberec), R Hubnik (Hertha Berlin), M Kadlec (Bayer Leverkusen), D Pudil (Cesena), J Rajnoch (Sivasspor), F Rajtoral (Viktoria Plzen), T Sivok (Besiktas).

Midfielders: T Hubschman (Shakhtar Donetsk), P Jiracek (Wolfsburg), D Kolar (Plzen), M Petrzela (Plzen), V Pilar (Plzen), J Plasil (Bordeaux), J Rezek (Anarthosis Famagusta), T Rosicky (Arsenal).

Forwards: M Baros (Galatasaray), D Lafata (Jablonec), T Pekhart (Nuremberg).