Anthuenis considers options

Simons role 
As he named his squad for the 29 March match, Anthuenis praised the form of Celtic FC defender Joos Valgaeren, whose selection alongside Daniel van Buyten in central defence would free Simons to fill the covering midfield position he has for his club, Club Brugge KV.

'Only one problem'
"Joos Valagaeren is the commander of the Celtic defence and I am sure he can play with Daniel Van Buyten in the centre of defence," said Anthuenis. "I am happy about my group of players and have only one major problem, which is the injury to Yves Vanderhaeghe, who is out for the season after a knee operation."

'A very difficult game'
Belgium, who have six points from three Group 8 games, visit a Croatian side with just one point from their two matches, and Anthuenis admitted he was expecting a "very difficult game". He explained: "Croatia have got to win otherwise they can forget about EURO 2004. It will be a very difficult game for us. I think they will try to beat us on technique at first but then it might get a bit more edgy. "

De Beule called up
R. Excelsior Mouscron forward Mbo Mpenza and Frédéric Herpoel from KAA Gent are both out injured, while the new face in the group is Davy De Beule, a midfield player with Sporting Lokeren St-Niklaas Waasland. "I know Davy from the Under-21s," said Anthuenis. "He is very strong and is benefiting from Mbo's absence."

Belgium squad
De Vlieger, Vandendriessche, De Cock, Van Der Heyden, Van Buyten, Valgaeren, Van Damme, Deflandre, Simmons, Englebert, Buffel, Goor, Baseggio, Thijs, De Beule, Martens, Soetaers, E Mpenza, Sonck, Roussel.