The Czech Republic management have denied reports that striker Milan Baros will not be able to play any part in the World Cup due to his ankle injury.

A press conference was called in which the Czech national team's press officer and team doctors disputed claims made by team physiotherapist Karel Malis in an interview with the Czech newspaper Sip.

Malis had claimed the Aston Villa striker's tournament was over before it had begun.

"The hope is gone, Baros is definitely lost and will go home," Malis said.

"(Jan) Koller might play in the last 16 if all the saints help us and the tear in his muscle will heal," he added, referring to the Monaco striker who was injured in the 3-0 win over the United States.

"After four hours of examinations in Duisburg, we have brought terrible news to our camp.

"The club doctor of Borussia Dortmund, who used to take care of Koller and (Tomas) Rosicky for many years, told us after a thorough examination in the tomography tunnel that Koller has a tear in his muscle, and that Baros has torn a tendon in the foot.

"For Baros it means the end, for Koller there is a certain hope."

Baros seemed to confirm the news himself.

"It is no use, I am giving it up," Baros said.

"Until he had the examinations, the tear was not seen," Malis added.

"The scan did not reveal it, but the examination in the tunnel did."

However, in a press conference on Wednesday, Malis' version of events was disputed by the team press officer Lukas Tucek.

"It is not true, Milan Baros will stay with us and the treatment will continue," Tucek said.

Team doctor Petr Krejci added: "For normal mortals, treatment takes six to eight weeks, but we are at the World Cup. We have been trying to shorten the time of the treatment to have Milan available here, but on the other hand we do not want to damage the health of the player.

"We will try other things, other examinations. We will be wiser by the evening. We will take the decision on Monday after the game against Ghana.

"Milan sees the situation is not improving. He is nervous and disappointed. He is afraid of the upcoming days. The problem has affected his mental state.

"He may walk or ride a bike, but it is painful while running," Krejci's colleague Jiri Fousek added.