Koller scored for Borussia Dortmund at the weekend

Jan Koller has proved his fitness after a knee injury to earn a place in the Czech Republic's World Cup squad.

Koller, together with Vratislav Lokvenc, Vladimir Smicer, Karel Poborsky and Zdenek Grygera, had been fitness doubts for the 23-man party.

But the quintet have all been selected, although the condition of Bordeaux and ex-Liverpool player Smicer remains a doubt after he strained a thigh muscle.

Aston Villa striker Milan Baros and Chelsea keeper Petr Cech were selected.

They are the only British-based players in the squad, although Rudi Skacel of Hearts and Rangers target Libor Sionko are on standby to step into the squad.

"This squad was created for Euro 2004 in Portugal, with the 2006 World Cup in mind," said coach Karel Bruckner.

Koller closes in on Czech return

"Koller has showed a big improvement in his health, I have no doubt about his participation."

Bruckner told the Czech media he will wait until just before the team's departure for Germany to decide whether to take Smicer, who has already been out for the last three months with a hamstring injury.

Goalkeepers: Jaromir Blazek (Sparta Prague), Petr Cech (Chelsea, England), Antonin Kinsky (Saturn Ramenskoye, Russia)

Defenders: Zdenek Grygera (Ajax Amsterdam, Holland), Marek Jankulovski (AC Milan, Italy), Martin Jiranek (Spartak Moscow, Russia), Radoslav Kovac (Spartak Moscow, Russia), Pavel Mares (Zenit St Petersburg, Russia), David Rozehnal (Paris St Germain, France), Tomas Ujfalusi (Fiorentina, Italy)

Midfielders: Tomas Galasek (Ajax Amsterdam, Holland), David Jarolim (Hamburg SV, Germany), Pavel Nedved (Juventus, Italy), Jaroslav Plasil (Monaco, France), Karel Poborsky (Ceske Budejovice), Jan Polak (Nuremberg, Germany), Tomas Rosicky (Borussia Dortmund, Germany), Vladimir Smicer (Girondins Bordeaux, France)

Forwards: Milan Baros (Aston Villa, England), Marek Heinz (Galatasaray, Turkey), Jan Koller (Borussia Dortmund, Germany), Vratislav Lokvenc (Red Bull Salzburg, Austria), Jiri Stajner (Hanover 96, Germany)