Slavia heroes get Czech call

Czech Republic coach Karel Brückner has called up goalkeeper Martin Vaniak and forward Stanislav Vlček to the national squad after long absences - hours after they contributed to the SK Slavia Praha's qualification for the group stage of the UEFA Champions League.

Long absences
The Czech Republic will play in San Marino on 8 September before facing the Republic of Ireland in Prague four days later. The 36-year-old Vaniak won the last of his seven caps in a friendly against the Irish in March 2004 while 31-year-old Vlček, who scored twice against AFC Ajax on Wednesday, has four caps for his country. Tomáš Rosický and Marek Jankulovski return after missing the friendly against Austria while Zdeněk Grygera is sidelined with a thigh injury.

Czech Republic squad
Goalkeepers: Petr Čech (Chelsea FC), Jaromír Blažek (1. FC Nürnberg), Martin Vaniak (SK Slavia Praha).

Defenders: Marek Jankulovski (AC Milan), Radoslav Kováč (FC Spartak Moskva), David Rozehnal (Newcastle United FC), Tomáš Ujfaluši (ACF Fiorentina), Tomáš Zápotočný (Udinese Calcio), Zdeněk Pospěch (AC Sparta Praha).

Midfielders: Tomáš Galásek (1. FC Nürnberg), David Jarolím (Hamburger SV), Jaroslav Plašil (CA Osasuna), Jan Polák (RSC Anderlecht), Tomáš Rosický (Arsenal FC), Tomáš Sivok (Udinese Calcio).

Forwards: Jan Koller (AS Monaco FC), Milan Baroš (Olympique Lyonnais), Marek Kulič (AC Sparta Praha), Martin Fenin (FK Teplice), Stanislav Vlček (SK Slavia Praha).