Nedved back as Czechs worry about Galasek

Czech coach Karel Brueckner welcomed Pavel Nedved back to the national squad yesterday as new injury concerns arose for his battered team. After a 16-month self-imposed exile, the Juventus midfielder has agreed to come back to help the Czechs in their...

Czech coach Karel Brueckner welcomed Pavel Nedved back to the national squad yesterday as new injury concerns arose for his battered team. After a 16-month self-imposed exile, the Juventus midfielder has agreed to come back to help the Czechs in their World Cup play-off against Norway.

Nedved's return could not have come at a better time for Brueckner, who was lacking offensive punch with strikers Jan Koller and Vratislav Lokvenc out through injury.

Further worries arose yesterday over Tomas Galasek, who took over from Nedved as captain. Galasek did not play at the weekend for Ajax due to a thigh injury and will be checked out by team doctors.

"I have a good feeling about Pavel's return," Brueckner said as the squad assembled to train before the first leg of the play-off in Oslo on Saturday.

Nedved retired from international football after the Czechs lost 1-0 to eventual champions Greece in the Euro 2004 semi-finals.

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