Croatia keep spotlight on Modrić

Luka Modrić is the only locally-based player in Slaven Bilić's 20-man Croatia squad for the friendly against the Netherlands in Split on 6 February.

Transfer target
The 22-year-old NK Dinamo Zagreb captain has been receiving the attentions of a number of top clubs but still remains in the Croatian capital. Bilić has decided against calling up Igor Budan and Ivan Klasnić as they recover from injury and a kidney transplant respectively. "I expect a lot from all the players," said the coach. "We will try to give a chance to more players. This match will provide a real picture of where we are after a two-and-a-half month break since [beating England 3-2 at] Wembley and four months before UEFA EURO 2008™." Mario Galinović, Dino Drpić, Ognjen Vukojević, Nikola Kalinić, Boško Balaban and Mario Mandžukić have been placed on standby in the event of any withdrawals.

Croatia squad
Goalkeepers: Stipe Pletikosa (FC Spartak Moskva), Vedran Runje (RC Lens).

Defenders: Dario Šimić (AC Milan), Robert Kovač (BV Borussia Dortmund), Josip Šimunić (Hertha BSC Berlin), Hrvoje Vejić (FC Tom Tomsk), Vedran Ćorluka (Manchester City FC), Dario Knežević (AS Livorno Calcio).

Midfielders: Niko Kovač (FC Salzburg), Jerko Leko (AS Monaco FC), Marko Babić (Real Betis Balompié), Darijo Srna (FC Shakhtar Donetsk), Niko Kranjčar (Portsmouth FC), Luka Modrić (NK Dinamo Zagreb), Danijel Pranjić (SC Heerenveen), Ivan Rakitić (FC Schalke 04), Jurica Vranješ (Werder Bremen).

Forwards: Mladen Petrić (BV Borussia Dortmund), Ivica Olić (Hamburger SV), Eduardo da Silva (Arsenal FC).