Croatia replace Kalinić with Mandžukić

Croatia coach Slaven Bilić has called up NK Dinamo Zagreb forward Marijo Mandžukić for the decisive UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifiers against F.Y.R. Macedonia and England after HNK Hajduk Split striker Nikola Kalinić withdrew because of a knee injury.

The 19-year-old Kalinić was in line to make his senior debut despite suffering from the knee problem, but the injury has proved worse than initially feared. His place is taken by 21-year-old Mandžukić, who has scored eight Prva Liga goals in 13 appearances for Dinamo this term.

"I know Mandžukić is important to [Under-21 coach] Dražen Ladić, but I don't have any other options," Bilić said. "I need four healthy forwards, and because Igor Budan and Boško Balaban are injured and Mladen Petrić will only start training on Wednesday, I had to call him." Croatia top Group E and will qualify if they draw in Skopje on Saturday, removing the pressure ahead of their final match against England at Wembley next week.