Croatia have named their team for tomorrow night's friendly against the Republic of Ireland at Lansdowne Road. Coach Mirko Jozic will use this game as a warm-up for next month's World Cup qualifier against Scotland. "The Republic of Ireland play a similar style to Scotland and this will be invaluable preparation for our big game in Glasgow next month," said Jozic.
Although some members of the team which finished third in France 98 and who also played against the Irish in the Euro 2000 qualifiers have since retired from international football, there will be several familiar faces. Recent Aston Villa signing Bosko Baloban will partner Middlesbrough's Alen Boksic in attack, while Chelsea’s Mario Stanic will be in a five-man midfield. Former World Cup starts Robert Prosinecki and Davor Suker will start on the bench.
Prosinecki signed for First Division side Portsmouth today, after his work permit was granted. The 32-year-old former Real Madrid, Barcelona and Seville star could play against Bradford on Saturday if his registration is completed in time. Portsmouth's director of football Harry Redknapp said: "I was always quietly confident but you never know with things like this until the fat lady sings. Thankfully she sung this afternoon and we now have a world-quality player."
Croatia team (in full): Stipe Pletikos (Hadjuk Split); Dario Simic (Inter Milan), Igor Tudor (Juventus) Robert Fovac; Niko Kovac (Bayern Munich), Marion Stanic (Chelsea), Zvonimir Soldo (VFB Stuttgart), Robert Jarni (Las Palmas), Milan Rapaic (Fenerbache); Alen Boksic (Middlesboro), Bosko Balaban (Aston Villa).
Filed by Greg McKevitt
