Football: Czech striker Lafata to miss next two Euro 2008 qualifiers

Czech international David Lafata is likely to miss their Euro 2008 Group D qualification ties against San-Marino and Ireland in September after suffering a torn back muscle, the CTK news agency reported on Monday. The 25-year-old striker, who plays for Austria Vienna, had to be replaced after just 17 minutes during his club's Austrian League match against Salzburg on Sunday. Lafata is expected to be on the sidelines for six weeks leaving his participation in the September 8 and 12 European qualifiers in doubt. The Czech Republic are second in Group D five points behind leaders Germany and just one point ahead of Ireland in third.