Čech concern for Czech Republic

Czech Republic coach Michal Bílek, already without suspended midfielder Tomáš Hübschman, could be missing goalkeeper Petr Čech for their UEFA EURO 2012 play-off with Montenegro.

Hübschman is serving the last two games of a three-match ban as the Czech Republic welcome Montenegro to Prague on Friday before the return leg in Podgorica four days later. And now Čech is a doubt after breaking his nose in Chelsea FC's win against Blackburn Rovers FC on Saturday.

"A broken nose is a painful injury, particularly for a goalkeeper who can be the target of challenges from tall strikers," said Bílek. "He will have a special mask from Italy and how he feels will be crucial for my decision about who starts in goal. I hope he will be ready, his presence on the pitch is very important for us because he is one of the best goalkeepers in the world."

Čech will join the squad on Wednesday yet his participation is unsure – although he could wear a mask in addition to his usual headgear. Jaroslav Drobný of Hamburger SV, who started the 2-2 draw with Scotland in September, could fill in.

Czech Republic squad
Goalkeepers: Petr Čech (Chelsea FC), Jaroslav Drobný (Hamburger SV), Jan Laštůvka (FC Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk).

Defenders: Zdeněk Pospěch (1. FSV Mainz 05), Jan Rajnoch (MKE Ankaragücü), Tomáš Sivok (Beşiktaş JK), Theodor Gebreselassie (FC Slovan Liberec), Roman Hubník (HSC Hertha Berlin)*, Daniel Pudil (KRC Genk), Michal Kadlec (Bayer 04 Leverkusen).

Midfielders: Tomáš Rosický (Arsenal FC), Daniel Kolář (FC Viktoria Plzeň), Jaroslav Plašil (FC Girondins de Bordeaux), Václav Pilař (FC Viktoria Plzeň), Milan Petržela (FC Viktoria Plzeň), Marek Matějovský (AC Sparta Praha), Petr Jiráček (FC Viktoria Plzeň).

Forwards: Milan Baroš (Galatasaray AŞ), David Lafata (FK Jablonec), Tomáš Pekhart (1. FC Nürnberg), Jan Rezek (Anorthosis Famagusta FC).

*Suspended for first leg