Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti has publicly said Cech was at fault for Carlos Tevez's goal in the Premier League on Saturday, but shifted blame for the 2-1 loss towards his midfield for not dominating their opponents.
It is understood Cech, who did not train with the rest of the Chelsea squad on Monday, will not be in the starting line-up against the Cypriot side at Stamford Bridge. Other first team players John Terry, Michael Ballack and Ashley Cole will likely be rested.
Ancelotti has been quick to jump to the defence of England midfielder Frank Lampard, who failed to score from the penalty spot for the first time since September 2006 when Shay Given saved his 83rd-minute attempt.
Ancelotti said: "I can say that, at our training ground, Lampard is the player who practises penalties more than any other player.''
Ghana midfielder Michael Essien was also quick to follow Ancelotti in defending both team-mates.
"There are 11 players on the pitch,'' said Essien. "Everyone should take the blame, not only Petr. If we had done our defensive work, we would not have conceded. There is no blame. Frank is a very strong guy, very strong mentally. These things happen. Anyone can miss a penalty. He's not the first and he won't be the last. He's our best penalty-taker at this club.''
Essien will leave the Blues to take part in the African Nations Cup between January 10-31 and admits it could leave him with a club-versus-country dilemma.
Ghana have the right to call up the midfielder two weeks prior to the start of the tournament, meaning he may miss more than four games for the Blues, who are facing the same situation with Ivory Coast duo Salomon Kalou and Didier Drogba and Nigeria's John Mikel Obi.
source: ESPN
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