Czech Republic´s Euro 2008 hopes hit by another injury

AFP - 24 July 2007 21:29

The Czech Republic´s hopes of qualifying for the Euro 2008 finals suffered a second blow on Tuesday when experienced defender Martin Jiranek, seen here in March 2007, was ruled out of their next two qualifiers.

PRAGUE (AFP) - The Czech Republic's hopes of qualifying for the Euro 2008 finals suffered a second blow on Tuesday when experienced defender Martin Jiranek was ruled out of their next two qualifiers.

The 28-year-old joins David Lafata in missing both the match against minnows San Marino but more crucially the Republic of Ireland on September 12 - the Czechs are battling for the second and final qualifying spot and have only a point advantage over the Irish.

Jiranek, capped 31 times, will be out for up to two months and is set to undergo an ankle operation in the next few days after suffering the injury on Saturday in a Russian league tie for his club Spartak Moscow against Saint Petersburg.

Lafata has been ruled out with a torn back muscle, picking up the injury during an Austrian championship match between his side Austria Vienna and Salzburg last Sunday and the striker is likely to be out for up to six weeks.

Germany lead Group D by five points.