Kadlec blow for Sparta
Sparta Prague visit Hapoel Kiryat Shmona in Israel without striker Vaclav Kadlec, who underwent surgery on Sunday after breaking a bone in his forehead.
The Czech Republic Under-21 striker is expected to be out until after Christmas following a clash of heads in last weekend's game against Mlada Boleslav.
The wound was stitched at the stadium, but a subsequent scan revealed the need for an operation.
``I would like to thank to all the fans for their support, it really means a lot to me,'' Kadlec told the club's official website. ``I feel well now. The surgery went without any complications.''
Kadlec scored in the 3-1 win at home to Hapoel two weeks ago, a victory that kept Sparta three points behind Group I leaders Lyon and opened a five-point gap over the Israelis and Athletic Bilbao.
Sparta could qualify for the round of 32 with two games to spare if they can take advantage again of a defence which is the joint worst in the group stage.
Their eight goals conceded in three games matches that of Rapid Vienna, Young Boys and Swedish side AIK.
That includes a 4-3 home defeat to Lyon, after which coach Gili Landau stood down after just over three months in charge.
Landau was replaced by his assistant Barak Bakhar, for whom it was a first senior coaching appointment after playing for the club from 2004 to 2011.