Czech Republic and Bordeaux midfielder Vladimir Smicer has added to International team coach Karel Brueckner's injury problems after pulling-out of Saturday's World Cup Europe Zone Group 1 qualifier against the Netherlands with a thigh injury.

The former Liverpool player, and Champions League winner, attended a morning training session with the squad, but due to his thigh injury, he attempted only a few minutes of light jogging around the training ground.

"I've been through enough to know that only healthy players can be on the pitch," Smicer said, adding that he didn’t want to aggravate his injury any further.

Smicer now joins the current top-scorer in the European Qualifying Zone Jan Koller, who has scored a total of 9 goals in the qualifying campaign so far, and fellow striker Vratislav Lokvenc, on the growing Czech Republic injury list.

Another ex-Liverpool star, who now plays for Aston Villa, striker Milan Baros, is currently suffering from an Achilles tendon strain, but is expected to be fit in time to face the Netherlands on Saturday.

The Czech Republic’s Captain Tomas Galasek is also recovering from a foot injury. Doctors said on Tuesday he was 95 percent fit, so the Ajax Amsterdam midfielder should fit to be included in the starting line-up against the Netherlands.

The Czech’s, currently on 24 points, trail Group One leaders the Netherlands by four points, with two matches remaining, and are two points ahead of third-placed Romania, who have only one game left to play.

A draw in one of their remaining matches will secure second spot for the Czech Republic, and so ensure a play-off place for them as second placed team.

They will host the Netherlands in Prague on Saturday, and then go on to face Finland away in Helsinki four days later.

The full squad list will be revealed on Worldcuplatest as soon as it is available

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