Pekhart replaces injured Vydra for Italy qualifier

By foxsports
Published

Watford striker Matej Vydra has been injured and won't be available for the Czech Republic next week in a World Cup qualifier against Italy.

Vydra hurt his right ankle in Monday's 1-0 loss to Crystal Palace at Wembley Stadium in the League Championship playoff.

The 21-year-old Vydra scored twice in the last World Cup qualifying match at Armenia, which the Czechs won 3-0, and was likely to make the starting lineup.

Nuremberg striker Tomas Pekhart has joined the team instead.

The Czechs need to do well in the June 7 game in Prague to keep alive their hopes of qualifying for the tournament in Brazil. Italy leads Group B of European qualifying, with the Czechs third, five points behind.