Bišcan back for Croatia

Croatia have recalled defender Igor Bišcan for the decisive UEFA EURO 2004™ qualifier against Bulgaria on 11 October.

Back in favour
Bišcan's return to the Liverpool FC lineup in recent weeks has convinced national coach Otto Baric that he is worth including in the squad for the Group 8 game in Zagreb. The 25-year-old had fallen out of favour after losing his place at the FA Premiership side. Bišcan last played for his country against Greece in April 2001.

New faces
Baric has also handed first call-ups to HNK Hajduk Split defender Mato Neretljak and NK Kamen Ingrad forward Zoran Zekic. But NK Dinamo Zagreb captain Niko Kranjcar misses out with a leg injury. If Croatia win in Zagreb a week on Saturday, they will secure second place in Group 8 and a play-off berth.

Croatia squad
Pletikosa, Butina, Simic, Biscan, R Kovac, Zivkovic, Tokic, Tudor, Neretljak, Leko, Rosso, Babic, Vranjes, Rapajic, Srna, Maric, Olic, Mornar, Prso, Petric, Zekic.