Injured Baros sits out as Czechs feel the pressure

Striker Milan Baros missed training due to a sore leg as the Czech Republic prepared for their final World Cup qualifier in Finland tomorrow, which they must win to clinch a play-off place.

Baros has been hampered in recent weeks by an Achilles injury but with strikers Jan Koller and Vratislav Lokvenc already out, the Aston Villa player was forced to start against the Netherlands in Saturday's 2-0 defeat.

"Things overall aren't as bad as we first thought after the game. With an eye on Wednesday's game, the worse threat is Baros. Once again he has problems with his Achilles, and he did not train on Sunday," said Czech team doctor Petr Krejci. "But he's undergoing intensive rehab, and we think he'll be ready for the game."

Baros was a constant threat against the Netherlands, winning a penalty early in the first half - which was missed by Tomas Rosicky - and coming close on several occasions.

The Czechs are third in Group One, one point behind Romania, who have played all of their qualifiers. Group leaders, the Netherlands, have qualified for next year's finals in Germany.

Anything less than a win against Finland will put the Romanians through because of their superior head-to-head record against the Czechs.

"Everyone knows what is at stake. I'm not worried about motivation," said coach Karel Brueckner.

Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech said the players were approaching tomorrow's match as though it was already a play-off.

"The pressure in a play-off is the same as it will be against Finland," he said.

"A lot has gone against us. We have a lot of injuries, some bad luck. But that doesn't matter, we have to win. That's it."