Baros losing fitness battle

Czech Republic striker Milan Baros looks certain to miss Monday’s World Cup opener against the United States.

The Aston Villa forward, top scorer in the European Championships two years ago, has been suffering with a foot injury since last week’s warm-up against Trinidad and Tobago.

He failed to join his team-mates for today‘s training and team doctor Petr Krejci admits his hopes of making the Group E encounter are slim.

“The chance Milan Baros will play (against USA) is very low,” Krejci said. “We will concentrate our efforts to prepare him for the other matches. It is an injury that may be healed within a few days, but it also may last a long time.

“The perspective for the other matches exists, otherwise we would have to think of replacing him in the squad.