West Ham United right-back Vladimir Coufal has withdrawn from the Czech Republic squad ahead of this month's World Cup qualifiers due to injury.
The 29-year-old, who has 24 caps for the national team, was set to join Hammers teammates Tomas Soucek and Alex Kral as they prepare for encounters against Wales and Belarus.
However, West Ham have confirmed that Coufal has had to pull out with a "slight groin injury" and will remain in London to be assessed.
"Vladimir has a slight groin injury that has caused him some discomfort," West Ham's head of medical services Richard Collinge said on the club's official website.
"Both ourselves and the Czech Republic medical team agreed that it would be beneficial for him to get some rest during this period, and we will manage his recovery carefully with a view to him being available for selection again as soon as possible."
The Hammers are hopeful that the defender can recover over the two-week international break in time for their Premier League clash against Everton at Goodison Park on October 17.
Jamaica striker Michail Antonio is another West Ham player who has withdrawn from the national team and will remain in London this month.
Oliver Thomas
