"He's training with a [facial] mask and doing well. Maybe this break helped him. We'll see his condition, but I don't doubt him. He'll be in good form"
"Dalic said the 24-year-old will be given chances in the warm-up matches to build up his form for the tournament, which kicks off June 11. He added: "We hope he'll be ready to play. We expect him to be a major boost for us in the US.""
""The main goal is to get through the group. I'm optimistic as always, we have a good national team. We have quality, youth and experience," added Dalic. "We will certainly be tougher and more defensive against England, playing with more midfielders. England want to be world champions.""
"Croatia are England's first opponents in Group L on 17 June at the Dallas Stadium in Arlington, Texas before they face Panama and Ghana. "The main goal is to get through the group. I'm optimistic as always, we have a good national team. We have quality, youth and experience," added Dalic."
Luka Modric is included in Croatia’s 26-man World Cup squad after a fractured cheekbone. The injury occurred in a head clash during Inter Milan’s match against Juventus in late April. Modric underwent surgery and is training with a facial mask, with expectations that he will recover in time. Josko Gvardiol is also selected despite a broken shin suffered in January. Croatia’s coach plans to give Gvardiol opportunities in warm-up matches to build match readiness. Croatia’s squad includes players from England-based clubs and others from across Europe, including Ivor Pandur, Nikola Vlasic, Ivan Perisic, and Mateo Kovacic. Croatia opens Group L against England on 17 June in Arlington, Texas, aiming to advance from the group.
Read at www.bbc.com
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