Depleted Czechs trying to lure Nedved back for qualifiers

The Czech Republic are making a last ditch effort to get former European Player of the Year Pavel Nedved to return for the decisive World Cup qualifiers against the Netherlands and Finland.

Coach Karel Brueckner has lost strikers Jan Koller and Vratislav Lokvenc along with midfielder Vladimir Smicer to injuries, while striker Milan Baros and midfielder Tomas Galasek are carrying knocks but expected to play.

The Czechs host the Netherlands in Prague in Group One on Saturday and face Finland in Helsinki four days later needing two points from the games to gain at least a play-off berth for a spot in Germany 2006.

Brueckner asked Juve's Nedved to reconsider his decision to leave the national team, which he made after losing to Greece in the semi-finals of Euro 2004.

The coach apparently extended an olive branch several days ago and Nedved said he was considering a return, but then local media quoted Brueckner as saying he would not try to persuade any player to make a comeback.

"After seeing this I told myself that there is no reason for a comeback," Nedved, 33, said.

After Czech TV broadcast the interview with Nedved late on Tuesday, the Czech FA said Brueckner's quotes had been misinterpreted.