Finland v Czech Rep: Czech Republic striker Milan Baros could miss his side's must-win World Cup qualifier against Finland today because of injury.Helsinki, 4.30

The Czechs need three points in Helsinki to secure second place in Group One and a place in the play-offs. Failure to do so would allow Romania, who have a superior head-to-head record, to finish second behind group winners the Netherlands.

Aston Villa striker Baros, who played as a lone frontman in the 2-0 home defeat by the Dutch on Saturday in the absence of Jan Koller and Vratislav Lokvenc, has an Achilles problem.

Czech coach Karel Brueckner said it had not yet been decided whether Baros, who practised with the team yesterday, would play: "We currently have two line-ups, one with Baros and one without Baros. Whether Baros plays is not up to me. It's up to Baros and his physiotherapist."

Brueckner is likely to start Galatasaray's Marek Heinze up front, and could pair him with Jiri Stajner, although the Hannover 96 player was ineffective against the Dutch.

Vladimir Smicer is likely to start despite a thigh injury.

Finland striker Aleksei Eremenko, who has scored eight goals in qualifying, has been excluded from the squad after he became a suspect in a police investigation.

Finland are also without midfielder Aki Riihilahti, as well as defenders Petri Pasanen and Hannu Tihinen and forward Henri Scheweleff because of injury. Jyrki Heliskoski's side are fourth with 16 points from 11 games and cannot qualify for Germany next year.

CZECH REPUBLIC (probable): Cech; Grygera, Rozehnal, Ujfalusi, Jiranek; Poborsky, Galasek, Rosicky, Jarolim, Smicer; Heinze.

FINLAND (probable): Jaaskelainen, Kallio, Hyypia, Kuivasto, Nyman, Saarinen, Tainio, Heikkinen, Lagerblom, Johansson (Sjolund), Forssell.

Referee: M Gonzales (Spain).