Koller went out injured in the match the Czechs played against USA. Though initially thought to be a bad and nasty injury, the later news proved they were not as bad as it could have been.

The giant striker will only miss his next game, against Ghana, but he will almost be there on the pitch at the game against Italy.

Fortunately, in the hours since, it has transpired that the veteran Czech coach spoke a little too soon, with his gloomy assessment having subsequently been proved overly pessimistic by scans carried out at a nearby hospital.

A team spokesman broke the good news: “I can confirm that after tests at the hospital, there is no deformity in the hamstring. We will see (how he reacts) tomorrow. We thought at first it was a serious injury. We don’t think that any more.”

Koller himself had hinted as much after the match and, though he is almost certain to miss the Czech Republic’s clash with Ghana in five days’ time, hopes are high that he could be back in time to face Italy in their final Group E match on 22 June. That, certainly, is the 33-year-old’s target.

“I will have four days’ rest now and I am confident I will be back for our third group game,” he said. “This game was a good start but now we have to focus and keep up the pressure on our group rivals.”

Source: WCoffsite