PRAGUE (AP) Captain Tomas Rosicky will miss the Czech Republic's final two World Cup qualifiers at the request of his Arsenal due to health concerns.
Rosicky picked up a calf injury in the 2-1 loss at Italy on Sept. 10 but returned to Arsenal's starting lineup for a 2-0 victory over Napoli in Champions League last week. He played as substitute in Sunday's 1-1 draw at West Brom in the Premier League.
Czech Republic manager Vladimir Smicer says Rosicky still doesn't feel fully fit and will have individual training at Arsenal for the next 10 days.
The Czechs play away to Malta on Friday and Bulgaria four days later but don't have a realistic chance to qualify.
