Injured Rosicky faces race against time

Czech Republic captain Tomas Rosicky hopes he can recover from the Achilles injury he picked up during the victory against Greece in time to play in his side’s final group match against co-hosts Poland on Saturday.

The 31-year-old midfielder, who has endured an injury-ravaged time since moving to Arsenal from Borussia Dortmund six years ago, was unable to reappear for the second half after picking up the problem before the break.

Rosicky was forced to go to hospital for a scan on the injury after the 2-1 victory, as did goalkeeper Petr Cech, who is struggling with a sore shoulder.

However, Rosicky has revealed that he suffered from a similar problem in the soccer games during the closing weeks of the Premier League season.

He said: “I played three matches with this at the end of the season but it has not been as painful as it is now. I can barely stand on the foot but I am not giving up. If it is at least a little possible, I will play.”

The Czech Republic’s team doctor has said both Rosicky and Cech have a 75 per cent chance of playing against Poland.

Both teams go into the match with the sports betting odds in their favour, and knowing they can qualify for the quarter-finals, as can the other two teams in the group – Greece and Russia.

Rosicky has started only 78 Premier League matches for the Gunners since being signed by Arsene Wenger for £6.8million in May 2006.

He missed the entire 2008-09 campaign with a troublesome hamstring tendon injury, a problem which also meant he was forced to sit out the Czech Republic’s Euro 2008 campaign.