Modric expected to be fit for German test

CROATIA star Luka Modric missed training yesterday but the midfielder is expected to be fit to face Germany on Thursday.

The 22-year-old, who scored from the penalty spot in the 1-0 win over co-hosts Austria on Sunday, picked up a knock in their Group B opener.

"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.

Croatia, second in the group, meet leaders Germany, who were 2-0 winners over Poland, in Klagenfurt before facing the Poles at the same venue next Monday. Whith Modric temporarily sidelined, the rest of the squad played a warm-up match among themselves in torrential rain in the nearby Oberwart sports centre where more than 1000 Croatia fans turned up to watch them.

Coach Slaven Bilic is likely to make one or two changes for the clash with Germany.