While Steve Staunton's injury concerns appear to be easing, his Czech Republic counterpart Karel Bruckner is sweating on the fitness of Milan Baros for next week's showdown between the sides.

The Republic of Ireland squad arrived in Bratislava this evening ahead of Saturday's Euro 2008 qualifier with Slovakia.  Staunton's team then play the Czechs in Prague on Wednesday.

But Baros - formerly of Liverpool and Aston Villa - is a major injury concern for that game because of a back complaint.

The 25-year-old striker is definitely out of Saturday's trip to minnows San Marino and the Czech medical staff will give him every chance to prove his fitness ahead of the Irish game.

Baros, top scorer at Euro 2004 and recently linked with a move to Middlesbrough, injured his back during team training yesterday.

"Unfortunately, the worst scenario has been confirmed," a team spokesman said. "It is not just a muscle injury but also a small haematoma. He needs a complete rest in the coming days."

Baros, who plays for French club Lyon, has not been ruled out of the Ireland game but promising youngster Martin Fenin is standing by should the need arise.

The Czech Republic is currently second in the qualification group, trailing Germany by five points and one point ahead of Ireland.

Czech squad to face Ireland:

Goalkeepers: Jaromir Blazek (Nuremberg), Petr Cech (Chelsea), Martin Vaniak (Slavia Prague)

Defenders: Marek Jankulovski (AC Milan), Radoslav Kovac (Spartak Moscow), Zdenek Pospech (Sparta Prague), David Rozehnal (Newcastle United), Tomas Ujfalusi (Fiorentina), Tomas Zapotocny (Udinese)

Midfielders: Tomas Galasek (Nuremberg), David Jarolim (Hamburg SV), Jaroslav Plasil (Osasuna), Jan Polak (Anderlecht), Tomas Rosicky (Arsenal), Tomas Sivok (Udinese)

Strikers: Milan Baros (Olympique Lyon), Martin Fenin (Teplice), Jan Koller (Monaco), Marek Kulic (Sparta Prague), Stanislav Vlcek (Slavia Prague).