Captain Tomas Rosicky will not be making the trip to Malta for Friday’s World Cup qualifier at Ta’ Qali national stadium.

He will be missing not only Friday’s match, but also the final qualifier next Tuesday against Bulgaria. The decision was taken after a request from his English club Arsenal due to health concerns.

Rosicky picked up a calf injury in the 2-1 loss at Italy on 10 September but returned to Arsenal’s starting lineup for a 2-0 victory over Napoli in the Champions League last week. He played as substitute in Sunday’s 1-1 draw at West Brom in the Premier League.

Czech Republic manager Vladimir Smicer says Rosicky still doesn’t feel fully fit and will have individual training at Arsenal for the next 10 days.

The Czechs do not have a realistic chance to qualify.