Lee Carsley: Make most of Czech strike crisis

Sep 12 2007 by Mark Staniforth, Liverpool Daily Post

LEE CARSLEY has urged his Republic of Ireland team-mates to seize upon a Czech Republic striker crisis and take a huge step towards European Championship qualification in Prague tonight.

Czech coach Karel Bruckner is already without 6ft 8in striker Jan Koller through suspension, while Milan Baros is also rated doubtful after straining his back in the 3-0 win over San Marino.

The Irish are not without their own problems with Stephen Ireland having headed home due to a family bereavement and a lot of bruised limbs after their 2-2 draw in Slovakia on Saturday.

But Carsley said: "It’s a big blow for them. He’s their talisman and he’s a fantastic player. It’s not just his aerial ability but he brings a lot more to their team and he will be a big loss for them."

Carsley is not the only one who believes Koller’s absence will be a big blow for the Czechs.

Arsenal midfielder Tomas Rosicky said: "We will miss Koller a lot. It is going to be an unpleasant situation for us."

The Czechs will go into the game leading the Republic by three points in Group D. But given the Republic’s more favourable run-in, coach Bruckner may not feel it is wise to settle for a draw.

Carsley added: "It’s important that we get a result on Wednesday and above all it is important that we don’t lose. They have got a lot of players playing at top clubs and they are a tough team.

"It was frustrating the way we conceded the (second) equalising goal on Saturday having been so close to three points. But that game has gone now and all we are focusing on is Wednesday night."

As if manager Steve Staunton has not had enough to contend with, he found himself at the centre of an embarrassing situation involving Manchester City midfielder Ireland, who has left the squad on compassionate grounds.

Ireland flew back to Manchester on Sunday morning having been told by Football Association of Ireland officials that his maternal grandmother, with whom he was particularly close, had died.

In fact it was Ireland’s paternal grandmother who had died – a fact which the player only became aware of upon his arrival home.

Staunton admitted: "I was up half the night (sorting it out).

"It’s not on his mother’s side, it’s on his father’s side. We were given the wrong information. It’s his grandmother, we send him our best wishes and that’s the end of that."

Staunton must make changes in Ireland’s absence, with the most likely option a straight swap for Charlton’s Andy Reid.

Alternatively, Jonathan Douglas may be preferred in a more holding role.

In defence, Liverpool’s Steve Finnan has finally been ruled out with a knee injury, which means Stephen Kelly is likely to continue his left-back role with John O’Shea remaining on the opposite flank.

Meanwhile Petr Cech’s face beams out from billboards across Prague and it takes a brave man here to suggest that the Czech Republic and Chelsea number one has any serious rivals for the title of the best goalkeeper in the world.

But Republic of Ireland captain Robbie Keane has added spice to the build-up to his side’s crucial Euro 2008 qualifier by insisting Shay Given’s abilities surpass anything even Cech can muster.

Given had kept three consecutive clean sheets for the Republic prior to Saturday’s fine performance in the 2-2 draw in Slovakia and will need to be on top form again if his side are to achieve the win they badly need.

Keane said: "Cech is one of the best goalkeepers in the world but we are quite lucky in that we have the best in Shay Given.

"Cech is different class but Shay Given is for me one of the best goalkeepers I have ever seen."