Injury concerns for Croatia coach Bilić
Thursday, June 7, 2012
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Croatia coach Slaven Bilić has lost a second player from his original squad to injury after Šime Vrsaljko replaced Ivo Iličević, while Vedran Ćorluka faces hospital tests on Friday.
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Croatia have called up Šime Vrsaljko to replace the injured Ivo Iličević while Vedran Ćorluka also limped out of this afternoon's training session because of a muscle strain.
Midfielder Iličević looked to have only suffered a knock a couple of days ago but the problem turned out to be a ruptured calf muscle. "I am sorry about Iličević," said coach Slaven Bilić. "We have lost another important player who is different to most of our team."
Replacement Vrsaljko said: "I received a call at lunchtime and am very happy. I didn't expect to be at EURO 2012 and was already starting to prepare for the new season with Dinamo Zagreb."
Ćorluka, meanwhile, will travel to Warsaw tomorrow for medical tests on his thigh strain. Bilić said: "It should be OK, he just felt something in his muscle. Based on the prognosis it shouldn't be anything serious." Ivica Olić was earlier ruled out on Monday because of a hamstring injury.
Croatia begin their Group C campaign against the Republic of Ireland in Poznan on Sunday.
