Bilić calls on Croatian reserves

Croatia coach Slaven Bilić has named Danijel Pranjić and Hrvoje Vejić in his injury-hit party for the UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifier against Russia on 6 September.

Key absentees
It is a first call-up for FC Tom Tomsk midfielder Vejić, 29, while Pranjić returns to the fold after 18 months in the wilderness. The 24-year-old SC Heerenveen midfielder earned his second cap against Israel in February 2005 but could make it three in Moscow as Croatia get their Group E campaign under way. "I have had Vejić in my squad since it emerged we would be without Dario Šimić, Igor Tudor and Josip Šimunić," said Bilić. "He has been in excellent form for Tom Tomsk."

Croatia squad
Goalkeepers: Stipe Pletikosa (FC Shakhtar Donetsk), Vedran Runje (Beşiktaş JK).

Defenders: Goran Sablić (FC Dynamo Kyiv), Anthony Serić (Panathinaikos FC), Robert Kovač (Juventus), Hrvoje Vejić (FC Tom Tomsk), Dario Knezević (HNK Rijeka), Vedran Corluka (NK Dinamo Zagreb).

Midfielders: Marijan Buljat (NK Dinamo Zagreb), 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 (HNK Hajduk Split), Luka Modrić (NK Dinamo Zagreb), Danijel Pranjić (SC Heerenveen).

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