Kranjčar to strengthen Croatia cause

The UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifying play-offs conclude on Tuesday and Wednesday, and uefa.com rounds up the latest squad news ahead of the second-leg ties.

Croatia have enlisted national-team midfielder Niko Kranjčar, 21, from HNK Hajduk Split as they aim to recover a 3-1 deficit from Saturday's first leg in Belgrade against Serbia and Montenegro. Coach Slaven Bilić had earlier denied speculation he would turn to Kranjčar, insisting he would stick with the squad that had done so well in qualifying with just one defeat in ten outings.

Denmark coach Flemming Serritslev has called up Sebastian Svárd from Portuguese club Vitória SC for Wednesday's second-leg visit of Russia. Svárd, 22, replaces Aalborg BK defender Michael Jacobsen who picked up a suspension in Saturday's 1-0 victory in Krasnodar. "We also called up Sebastian for our last two group matches in October, against Greece and Kazakhstan, but injury prevented him joining us," said Serritslev.

Netherlands coach Foppe de Haan has added AZ Alkmaar defender Ron Vlaar, Feyenoord forward Romeo Castelen and AFC Ajax defender Urby Emanuelson to his squad for Wednesday's home game against Slovenia. The trio were missing for Sunday's stalemate in Celje having formed part of Marco van Basten's senior selection for the defeat by Italy. De Haan is, however, without FC Twente defender Ramon Zomer through suspension. Meanwhile, SC Heerenveen striker Klaas Jan Huntelaar is hoping to impress at his club's Abe Lenstra stadium where a sell-out crowd is expected. "I don't think Slovenia gave us anything really to worry about and we should be able to finish the job on Wednesday."

Slovenia coach Branko Zupan paid tribute to his players for keeping the Netherlands at bay, although he is concerned that both Marko Šuler and Damir Hadzic collected bans for the return leg in Heerenveen. "I knew our opponents were really strong, but we did a great job defensively in stopping their strikers. Now we have to look to play better in midfield and get a larger percentage of possession. I hope to have Dalibor Stevanovič available in midfield but cannot count on Šuler and Hadzic due to yellow cards." Striker Miran Burgic simply praised the opposition, saying: "The Netherlands are great. They showed us why they play for top European clubs despite their youth. As for the return, we'll have to wait and see."

Switzerland coach Bernard Challandes is backing Davide Chiumiento to build a successful international career after the 20-year-old Le Mans UC 72 midfielder scored the home goal in Sunday's 1-1 draw with Portugal in Zurich. "I have a good feeling about Chiumiento," said Challandes. "His performance showed that he is ready for the senior team." Of the first-leg result, the coach added: "The Portuguese had won every game until now, and we are the first side to stop them."