Croatia face Canada today but look set to be without Nikola Vlasic for what could be seen as a must-win World Cup clash.
Vlasic has since taken part in training, but head coach Zlatko Dalič may decide not to risk the striker, meaning an opportunity for Mislav Oršić or, more likely, Mario Pasalić.
Asked before the match what he thought of Croatia, Canadian coach John Herdman called his midfield trio “the best in the world” and added that Luka Modric was “probably the generational midfielder of his time… and these (Canadian) guys have a chance to compete against him and we are excited.”
Canada was boosted by the return of Alphonse Davies to the starting lineup after the loss to Belgium and will once again take his place on the left.
It means the North Americans have no injury concerns after a commanding and eye-catching display of defeat.
Predicted Croatia XI: Livakovic; Juranovic, Lovren, Gvardiol, Sosa; Modric, Brozovic, Kovacic; Pasalic, Kramaric, Perisic
Predicted Canada XI: Borjan; Laryea, Johnston, Vitoria, Miller, Davies; Buchanan, Hutchinson, Eustaquio, Larin; Dav
