Tue Jun 10 12:19:26 2008

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Croatia's Modric injures Achilles

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Vienna, Austria (Sports Network) - Croatia is sweating on the fitness of key midfielder Luka Modric ahead of its second Group B clash Thursday with Germany.

The 22-year-old playmaker scored from the penalty spot in their opening 1-0 success over co-host Austria on Sunday but sat out training on Monday with a strained Achilles tendon.

"Luka Modric is not taking part in training because he has a strained right Achilles tendon, but it's nothing serious and he is exercising on his own," said team spokesman Davor Gavran.

Meanwhile, coach Slaven Bilic has suggested he will make changes for the Germany game after several players were below par against Austria.

"We have several alternative formations as options. We have used all of them before and Ivan Rakitic is a strong candidate to play a part against Germany," he said.

"We wanted to bring him on against the Austrians in the second half but the match took a course which dictated different substitutions."

(Courtesy of sportbox.tv)