THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
WARKA, Poland — Croatia could lose its second player in as many days, with defender Vedran Corluka injuring a hamstring during training on Thursday for the European Championship.
Corluka, who has been on loan at German club Bayer Leverkusen from Tottenham, left training early after complaining of pain. He is due to have a medical test on Friday morning.
His injury came hours after Croatia received permission from UEFA to include 20-year-old midfielder Sime Vrsaljko for Ivo Ilicevic, who pulled his left calf muscle on Wednesday.
Star midfielder Luka Modric, however, is believed to have fully recovered from an exhausting season with Tottenham.
Croatia coach Slaven Bilic had put Modric on a special training program in acknoweldgement that the player as jaded and needed to be refreshed. That and joining most members of the squad late have helped recharge him, Bilic said.
Bilic, who is quitting at the end of the tournament after six years in charge, needs Modric to be at the top of his game if Croatia is going to get out of one of the toughest groups, let alone bid for the title.
Modric’s form dipped toward the end of a season that ended in disappointment. Tottenham had been fighting for a spot in the Champions League but was denied the opportunity after Chelsea won the competition by beating Bayern Munich in the final.
"He played every game when he was available, he was a bit tired," Bilic said. "He’s ready to play his role, which is very important for us."
Croatia plays its first Group C game on Sunday against Ireland in Poznan, Poland. Spain and Italy make up the group.