Czech Smicer ruled out of World Cup

PRAGUE, Jun 1: Czech midfielder Vladimir Smicer has been ruled out of the World Cup finals due to a leg injury, the CTK news agency quoted the player as saying today.

CTK gave no further details.

The Girondins Bordeaux player has been struggling for fitness since injuring a tendon behind his right knee in February.

Smicer was diagnosed with a blood clot in his thigh muscle by team doctors at the Czech Republic training camp in Austria last week after suffering discomfort.

The 33-year-old did not play in a 1-0 win against Costa Rica on Tuesday.

Rangers midfielder Libor Sionko is likely to be called up to replace Smicer. Sionko has been training with the team as coach Karel Brueckner included extra players in case replacements were needed.

The Czechs open their World Cup campaign on June 12 against the United States. Italy and Ghana are also in the same group.

REUTERS