Bristol City defender Tomas Kalas is in line to be involved for the Czech Republic against Scotland in the Group D Monday Euros encounter being played at Hampden Park.
Fellow defender Ondrej Kudela misses the tournament due to a 10-game match ban for abusing Rangers' Glen Kamara while playing for Slavia Prague in the Europa League, and there may be an increased chance for City's 28-year-old centre-back to start in Glasgow.
A partnership with Ondrej Celustka could be key in the middle for the visitors, as John McGinn, Andy Robertson, Scott McTominay and co are met in the latest round of Euros games.
And the Robins skipper has given his view on players taking the knee, which has led to some booing from a section of supporters at England games of late. The Czech Republic have confirmed that they will not take the knee on Monday; Scotland say that they will on Friday at Wembley, in solidarity with the English players.
Two weeks ago Romanian midfielder Nicolae Stanciu refused to take a knee before the pre-tournament warm-up game against England, citing support for the banned Kudela.
And Kalas has explained that not performing the gesture does not make his team racists. He fully understands that the subject is emotive in Britain, and respects everybody's freedom of expression.
"Everyone is entitled to their own opinion," said Kalas in a press conference. "Obviously I am playing for Czech. Scottish people might look at us in a different way, but none of us support racism. If we are going to take the knee or not, if we are going to say something or not, that doesn’t suddenly make us racists.
“The whole of Europe, all the footballers, stand behind the fact that racism has no place in football. If somebody shows it on the pitch by taking the knee for example, that’s their choice.
"If they choose to stand together and show their support against racism in a different way, that’s their choice. I don’t think that people should judge the players based on what they show on the pitch.”
Kalas, who made a best 40 appearances in the Championship for Bristol City this past season, is happy with the draw that sees him facing two home nations.
The Czechs meet Croatia on June 18 after Scotland, before a final Group D game against England at Wembley on June 22.
“It’s my first time at the Euros so, either way, it’s an amazing and different opportunity for me,” he said. “Of course it would be better if it took place only in one country and we only had one base camp. I can imagine that the atmosphere would be better but we are happy that we are home."
Kalas also discussed facing Scotland’s Lyndon Dykes, who he marked when Bristol City played QPR back in December.
“I remember him,” Kalas added. “It’s going to be physical. We will see how many balls he is going to get in the air or on the floor. He is a strong guy with quite a good leap so I will have to be prepared.”
