Skender in as Bilić gets set

Croatia coach Slaven Bilić has named a 24-man squad for the UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifiers against Andorra on 7 October and against England four days later.

New keeper
There are no surprises on Bilić's list for the Group E double-header in Zagreb with NK Osijek's 27-year-old goalkeeper Marin Skender being the only newcomer, replacing Joey Didulica. "If we are going to finish towards the top of the group, we have to win our home games," said Bilić. "It is good to have the Andorra match before the big one against England, although we will be taking both fixtures just as seriously."

Croatia squad
Goalkeepers: Stipe Pletikosa (FC Shakhtar Donetsk), Vedran Runje (Besiktas JK), Marin Skender (NK Osijek).

Defenders: Dario Šimić (AC Milan), Goran Sablić (FC Dynamo Kyiv), Anthony Šerić (Panathinaikos FC), Robert Kovač (Juventus), Josip Šimunić (Hertha BSC Berlin), Hrvoje Vejić (FC Tom Tomsk), Vedran Ćorluka (NK Dinamo Zagreb), Dario Knežević (AS Livorno Calcio).

Midfielders: Niko Kovač (FC Salzburg), Jerko Leko (AS Monaco FC), Marko Babić (Bayer 04 Leverkusen), Darijo Srna (FC Shakhtar Donetsk), Milan Rapaić (R. Standard de Liège), Niko Kranjčar (Portsmouth FC), Luka Modrić (NK Dinamo Zagreb), Danijel Pranjić (SC Heerenveen).

Forwards: Mladen Petrić (FC Basel 1893), Ivan Klasnić (Werder Bremen), Ivica Olić (PFC CSKA Moskva), Boško Balaban (Club Brugge KV), Eduardo da Silva (NK Dinamo Zagreb).