Czech striker Jan Koller's World Cup is not over after scans revealed the thigh injury picked up in yesterday's 3-0 victory against the United States is not as serious as was initially feared.
Koller was stretchered off after pulling up in agony as he chased down a loose ball just before half-time.
Initially, it seemed the veteran forward, who has just signed a two-year deal with Monaco, had torn a hamstring but coach Karel Bruckner subsequently revealed it was a thigh problem.
With Milan Baros currently sidelined with a troubling foot injury, Bruckner faced the unhappy prospect of being without his two first-choice strikers for the remainder of the tournament.
However, while Koller accepts he is unlikely to be involved against Ghana in Cologne on Saturday, the 33-year-old is confident of being fit for the latter stages and having the chance to add to his Czech record goal tally, which he increased to 41 with his powerful early header against the US.
'When I felt the pain I thought 'everything is over for me',' admitted Koller, who missed most of last season with a knee injury.
'But the scan says nothing is torn, which I am so happy about. I am not sure if I will make it for the next game but at least after three or four days I should be able to train again.'
