Bednar eyeing Czech recall

In-form striker Roman Bednar was today in the frame for an international recall after helping fire Albion back to the top of the Championship.

Czech Republic boss Vladimir Smicer was at The Hawthorns last night to see Bednar score his sixth goal in eight games as the Baggies leapfrogged Newcastle at the top of the table.

The visit signals that 26-year-old Bednar is back in contention for international honours just six months after his Czech Republic hopes looked to be over following his summer drugs shame.

Bednar won the last of his three caps in a friendly against Morocco a year ago tomorrow but former coach Petr Rada hinted the forward's hopes of future call-ups had ended when he admitted using cocaine in the summer.

However, former Liverpool midfielder Smicer, who succeeded Rada in November, now appears willing to hand the former Hearts hitman a reprieve with the Czech side due to face Scotland in a friendly next month.

They have been drawn with the Scots in a Euro 2012 qualifying group that also features world champions Spain, Lithuania and Liechtenstein.

And Smicer looks set to rebuild the team following a disappointing qualifying campaign for this summer's World Cup in South Africa.

Bednar maintained his recent hot scoring streak last night with the opening goal in a 2-0 win over Scunthorpe at The Hawthorns and a recall by his national side would cement a dramatic return to favour after his summer FA suspension.

Bednar said: "I am delighted for the team that we won and for me that I scored.

"I had a chance before that I should have scored but you could see we were all a little tired after the last couple of weeks.

"It's been really difficult but we still keep winning so it's fantastic for the team and the club.

"I have really enjoyed the last couple of weeks.

"Since I came back and started playing it's been amazing. The players have really helped me and put great crosses into the box.

"It's not easy to finish them but I know if I'm in the right place at the right time the players will pass me the ball so I have really enjoyed it."