In-form Fenin to take Czech chance

The Czech Republic will line up without Karel Brückner and Tomáš Rosický for the first time in more than six years when they face Poland in Larnaca on Wednesday. However, there are a host of players queueing up to accept leadership roles – not least the in-form Martin Fenin.

Rada schooling
Rosický is sidelined with a thigh injury while the 68-year-old Brückner has flu, meaning he misses his first game since taking the helm in 2002. Brückner's assistant, Petr Rada, will lead the side from the touchline, a sight that could become familiar as the former international defender is among the favourites to become the next coach. For now, though, Brückner is very much in charge, and will be in contact with Rada throughout the match via mobile phone.

Fenin masterclass
Rada at least has the honour of throwing Rosický's captain's armband to a new man, and of renewing acquaintances with one of his former tutees at FK Teplice – whom the 49-year-old coaches full-time – namely, Martin Fenin. Still only 20, the forward made a dream Bundesliga debut for Eintracht Frankfurt on Saturday, scoring a hat-trick at Hertha BSC Berlin following his €3.5m move from Teplice. He has four caps, most as a late substitute, yet it is testament to the esteem in which he is held that Fenin is being touted to one day break Rosický's record as the Czech Republic's youngest skipper.

New wave
Fenin heads a gilded crop of players graduating from the side that reached the FIFA U-20 World Cup final in Canada last July, with Luboš Kalouda and Ondřej Kúdela also in the reckoning after maiden call-ups. Jan Rajnoch, Josef Kaufman and Mario Holek are also among the new wave refreshing Czech football and they may get their chance when Czech Republic B meet Greece B in Nicosia this evening.

Old guard
While the youngsters go from strength to strength, it is a transitional time for the old guard. Marek Jankulovski (knee) and Tomáš Galásek (stomach) are absent alongside Rosický, and although Jan Koller and Milan Baroš are fit, the forward pair are struggling for form following January transfers to 1. FC Nürnberg and Portsmouth FC respectively. Fenin has wasted no time settling in Frankfurt and this could be the moment for the striker to grasp the nettle at international level too.