Cech out of World Cup qualifier against San Marino

Petr Cech will miss the Czech Republic's World Cup qualifier against San Marino on Wednesday because of a thigh muscle injury.

Czech team spokesman Lukas Tucek said Cech had asked coach Petr Rada to be excused duty for the Group 3 game because of the injury.

The Chelsea goalkeeper, who played in the London club's most recent Premiership game – against Blackburn last Sunday, picked up a thigh injury during the Czech Republic's 2-1 defeat to Poland on October 11.

That saw him sit out the national team's 1-0 win over Slovenia four days later.

Anderlecht keeper Daniel Zitka will likely take Cech's starting spot, coach Rada having called up Berlin's Jaroslav Drobny as back-up.