The Czech Republic will be without goalkeeper Jiri Pavlenka and striker Patrick Schick due to injuries for the World Cup play-offs which begin this week. Werder Bremen keeper Pavlenka has a minor ankle problem while Bayer Leverkusen forward Schick has not recovered in time from a calf injury. The absence of Schick, the Euro 2020 top scorer who has 17 goals in 33 internationals, is a particular blow. Pavelenka is currently back-up to Olympiacos keeper Tomas Vaclik.