Smicer out of World Cup squad

Vladimir Smicer has been ruled out of the Czech Republic's squad for the World Cup after failing a fitness test. Doctors found a blood clot in his thigh muscle last week. The Bordeaux midfielder, who has been capped 81 times, is likely to be replaced by Libor Sionko of Glasgow Rangers. The Czechs' opening game in Germany is against the USA on June 12th.