Czech Republic could miss Jan Koller at World Cup

It is still too early to know if the Czech Republic's most prolific striker, Jan Koller, will heal from a knee injury in time to play at the World Cup, according to the team doctors.

"We don't know and we can't say at the moment," Czech national team spokesman Lukas Tucek said. "He's exercising, that's all we know."

The Dortmund forward had been expected to be sidelined for eight months when he teared ligaments in his left knee during a Bundesliga match in September.

In a recent interview, Koller said there was a 50 percent chance of him being fit for soccer's showcase, which begins in Germany in June. He said an crucial medical check was due for the beginning of May.

Jan Koller has 40 goals from 66 games in the national squad. He scored nine goals in the last Czech Republic's World Cup qualifying campaign.

China would play a Friendly against France

Previous to the World Cup Germany 2006, China Football Federation has agreed to paly a match with France which is to be held near France’s base in Germany. That game could also clash with China’s season opener – the Super Cup.

France are in Group G alongside Korea Republic, Switzerland and Togo and are eager to play against the Chinese squad. They think that their latter’s style is similar to that of the Koreans. The World Cup kicks off on June 10.