BILIC AND KLASNIC UNDER THREAT

Croatian internationals Mate Bilic and Ivan Klasnic could be set to be frozen out by Slaven Bilic if they are unable to find form in the second half of the campaign. Bilic, 30 and Klasnic soon to be 31 have struggled to find a starting place with Sporting Gijon and Bolton Wanderers respectively. For Bilic, the Premira Liga is a unforgiving league and Gijon who have worked magic with the aid of Bilic in last two seasons, look this campaign to be finding survival from relegation just that little bit harder. At 30 Spain may no longer be the place for Bilic to be and moves out to Turkey, France or even a loan move back to Hajduk Split seems his major hope of resalvaging his national team jersey. A huge shame for a player who showed immediate promise with 3 goals in just 5 games.

As for Klasnic, he is yet to be handed a Premier League start at Bolton Wanderers and it appears his one touch strikes to snatch important points such as at Everton and Stoke City may no longer do it for Manager Owen Coyle, who has his eye on Mexican talent Carlos Vela. With Arsene Wenger satisfied with Coyle's work with Jack Wilkshere a loan deal for Vela looks highly likely. Meantime Johann Elmander and Kevin Davies continue to keep Klasnic out and he may see little chance for the remainder of the reason. Klasnic does have interest from St Pauli, a club with personal meaning to him, but like many Croatian players whether Klasnic can forsake his Bolton contract is another matter. Whilst Klasnic is out of the picture its unlikely he'll feature for Croatia.

There is more positive news on Nikola Kalinic, who looks set to feature regularly under new Blackburn Rovers coach Steve Keen. Having scored against Malta it appears Kalinic will get the nod over Klasnic and Mate Bilic. At 21 Kalinic has more running power and may get more time than when he was featuring somewhat bizarre on Slaven Bilic's squad lists two seasons ago.

Disappointingly however Daniel Cesarec of Aris Salonika, Ante Rukavina of Dinamo Zagreb and to a lesser extent Mario Budimir of Ethnikos and Slovan Liberec's Andrej Keric have not found the neccessary form to challenge for a place. Mario Gavranovic also is out of the picture at Schalke. One name however to keep an eye on is Hoffenheim's Boris Vuckcevic.

STARS OF 2010/ 11

LUKA MODRIC
The diminitive playmaker of Tottenham Hotspur needs little introduction these days, but this season Modric has finally proven himself a class act in his rightful position in central midfield in arguably the most physical league in the world. Modric has been showing some classy moments in supply to Aoran Lennon, Gareth Bale and Rafael Van Der Vaart this season which has made Spurs one of England's most watchable sides. In keeping with his character, Modric still only 25 refuses to get carried away and is signed to a long term contract.

SRDJAN LAKIC
Lakic is a lesson for any young Croatian that leaves the domestic league early and finds his first season hard going that he can bounce back. Lakic had a unnoteworthy first season in Hertha Berlin after being signed from Kamen Ingrad. However a impressive spell out on loan at unfancied Dutch side Heracles did Lakic the world of good and he was snapped up by Kaiserslautern. Now in his third successful season with them he has been taking the Bundesliga by storm with 18 goals in 20 games in all competitions only half way into the campaign. For Croatia Lakic's arrival brings a new dimension to the forward line with a player of his kind having not been seen since Dado Prso and Tomislav Maric retired from the game. Arguably with such playmakers and crossers as Daniel Pranjic, Mladen Petric, Eduardo, Dario Srna, Niko Kranjcar, Ivan Rakitic and Luka Modric a player like Lakic (plus Jelavic) with ariel prowess was the missing ingrediant. Lakic's teammate Ivo Ilicevic has also had a fine season and has edged in front of Drago Gabric to gain a place in the squad.

TOMISLAV PULJIC
A player who would have gone unnoticed by many in Croatia is Tomislav Puljic who has been highly successful since his switch from Lokomotiva to FC Luzern. The only surprising thing is how this 27 year old with experience escaped the attention of Dinamo Zagreb. Puljic is a outright first choice centre back for the league leaders and has also contributed 3 goals in his 18 games so far. Puljic had been set to sign for Karlovac, but will be glad to have changed his mind as looks to have a career ahead of him abroad.

MARIO BARIC
The price tag and stature of right sided defender Mario Baric has absolutely rocked in the last 12 months having firstly impressed at Karlovac leading to his switch to Belgian side AA Gent for a mere £264,000. 22 games on with appearences in the Europa Liga Baric is a important part of Gent who are currently placed 4th and now have Baric rated as a one million pound player. Baric is now 25, but looks set to join the likes of Ivan Leko and Tomislav Mikulic in forging a decent career for himself in Western Europe.

IVAN LEKO
Leko himself has been in impressive form this season, somewhat surprisingly at the age of 32. The Lokeron man has 5 goals and 6 assists and this may indicate this could be the man to stabilise Hajduk following Senijad Ibricic's departure. However Leko is not going to want to leave Belgium whilst still in this kind of form and has a contract till 2013.

DARIO SRNA
With still a year left on his contract at Shakthar Donetsk, the Croatian international star is still giving it his all to the Ukrainian club who are topping their domestic league and reached the last 16 of the Champions League coming up ahead of Arsenal in their group. For so long now it would be hard to think of there not being a Shakhtar Donetsk which continuously attacked down the wings through Dario Srna and Ravtzan Rat going on to feed the majestic Brazilians Jadson, Fernandiniho and Wilian. For Srna there is no real need to move. Whilst many Croatians have tried bigger clubs and leagues only to fall from grace, Srna has guarenteed himself 30 plus matches a season and is Croatia's second highest all time scorer to boot from his position on the right midfield. At 29, approaching 30 years of age next year, Srna may allow himself one last chance at a stronger league in Italy, England, Germany or Spain having little to lose. However only a Chelsea, Bayern Munich, Milan type club is likely to entice him.

IVAN PERISIC
It seems ridiculous how long Croatian Under 21 coach Drazen Ladic took to notice this exciting young attacking midfielder who compares in playing style to Mikael Ballack and Frank Lampard. Perisic is already a huge talent and is now in the second outstanding season in Belgium and is being cited by Everton as a replacement for Steven Pienaar. However agreeing a fee for a midfielder who scored 12 goals in half the season already and is contracted till 2015 will prove difficult. Bruges may be kind and let the player go for around 6m, but could be grossly undervalued in the long run. For Croatia, Perisic is currently a player Slaven Bilic insists on wasting and which indicates to the negative side of the HNS that many fans find distasteful that a misfiring Mario Mandzukic and struggling Dinamo Zagreb prospect Milan Badelj could ever be considered to be playing better than Perisic at the moment. Adding Perisic who can play in attack and midfield to a squad featuring the already proven Kranjcar, Rakitic, Srna, Pranjic and Modric is exciting for many Croatia fans. With Jelavic and Lakic, also joining the likes of Ivica Olic, Mladen Petric, Eduardo and Nikola Kalinic as options in attack the whole position in the Croatia National Team looks brighter.

HAJDUK TO GO WITH YOUNGSTERS

Hajduk Split look set to retain the money recieved from the sale of Bosnia Herzegovina international playmaker Senijad Ibricic and put their faith in youth. Dinko Trebotic has been highlighted as the likely successor to Ibricic, whilst Mario Ticinovic has also been recalled from his loan at Karlovac and is expected to challenge Trebotic and Anas Sharbini for a starting place. Should the scheme fail Srdjan Andric may be pushed forward to supply the creativity with Mario Brkljaca, Erwin Bulku and first choice Marin Ljubicic able to cover the defensive midfield slot.

In attack Hajduk still seem satisfied with the performance of 19 year old Croatia Under 21 international striker Ante Vukusic to lead the line alone, with Duje Cop in support. Ahmad Sharbini whilst being linked with Istra 1961 should still see opportunities following Ibricic's departure to Lokomotiva Moscow. Hajduk could take chances on spending some of the Ibricic money to bring Mate Bilic from Sporting Gijon or Ivica Krizanac on a free transfer after issueing a come and get me plea after ending a hugely successful spell with Zenit St Petersburg. However Krizanac could only come if he can prove he is fit to play the majority of the games or if Legia Warsaw step up their interest in Jurica Buljat. At present however Hajduk seem happy to leave Buljat and Mario Maloca as their defensive pairing with Matej Jonjic and Hjorve Vejic as cover. Financially Hajduk may play safe with at least second place highly likely, when players such as former target Jurica Vranjes will also be cheaper to purchase.

STILL IN THE BAG

MIROSLAV SARIC

Miroslav Saric enjoyed a productive goalscoring season last campaign with Inter Zapresic. However his form drifted in Spring, leading Zapresic to return him to Dinamo and he is now a free agent. Saric, had an unsuccessful trial with Bucaspor, but could find himself back in HNL1 with Cibalia, Istra Pula and Zagreb all looking for creative forwards.

IVAN BOSNJAK
Former Croatia international Ivan Bosnjak would appear the biggest free agent coup for HNL1 sides looking for a new forward. Bosnjak was highly successful with Dinamo Zagreb, Hajduk Split and Cibalia before moving abroad with Racing Genk.



His last two seasons with Genk and Irakilis however were disappointing and although he is likely to be in demand in Croatia he will need to prove his fitness. Fortunately for the 31 year old HNL1 is not the most physically intense league on the continenent. Aging stalwarts as Tomislav Erceg, Robert Spehar, Davor Vugrinec, Nino Bule and Zjelko Sopic also enjoyed successful spells in the latter part of their careers in Croatia and there is no reason why Bosnjak can't follow in similar fashion. It is unlikely Hajduk would sign Bosnjak due to the players history with Dinamo Zagreb. However a deal with Dinamo is not out the question, although Rijeka, Istra Pula and former team Cibalia may be more likelier destinations.

IVAN RODIC
After a fairly promising first half of the season at Rijeka, it was surprising the Kantrida based club allowed striker Rodic to go free. Rodic appeared able support to Radomir Dalovic, but Rijeka seemed unable to afford the players wages and instead will turn to Vedran Gerc and Sandi Krizman. Rodic netted 4 times in his short spell at Rijeka, building on the reputation he made whilst with Sibenik. Sibenik would love to have there former player back, especially with Mehmad Alispahic on his way to Dinamo at the end of the season. Rodic however may search for an engagement abroad, whilst Slaven Belupo may also be looking.

GORDAN GOLIK

Former Varazdin player Gordan Golik is available on a free transfer after being released by Lech Poznan. Golik made 81 appearences for Varazdin before being signed by the Polish club for around 300,000 Euro's. However he has rarely been used in Poland and was made available at the start of August.

MARKO MARIC
Maric, 27 plays in central midfield and could return to HNL1 after a disappointing last three seasons in which he played just 5 matches for Lille, scoring 1 goal and 4 matches at Skoda Xanthi before being released. Maric made something of a reputation for himself in Greece at Egaeleo which earned him a move to France. Offers in Greece may now be few and far between and so the former Zagreb player looks likely to return to Croatia.

MARKO BABIC
It appears strange how Babic, a player with 49 caps for Croatia and experience in the Champions league with Bayer Leverkusen can remain a free agent for too long. Following his performances at the 2006 World Cup it was hard to forsee this, however Babic didn't impressed at Real Betis, Hertha Berlin or Real Zaragoza and needs to drop his level to a suitably sized club where he will play. Babic's inactivity has been a lost option for Croatia for whom he had regularly given a good account of himself.

HNL1 WINTER TRANSFERS

RIJEKA
IN: Milan Duricic (Buducnost), Sergio Zijler
OUT: Ivan Rodic, Miroslav Karoglan (Armed Forces), Mikael Yourrawsky

KARLOVAC
IN: Marijan Budimir (Zapresic)
OUT: Mario Ticinovic (Hajduk Split), Goran Juros (Weitz)

NK ZAGREB
IN: Krunoslav Rendulic (Lucko), Vedran Celiscak (Medimurje), Neven Markovic (Kerkya), Carlos (Dinamo)
OUT: Zhevahir Sukaj (Vllazina), Josip Mikulic (Chicago Fire), Dino Stiglec (Lucko), Vedran Celjak (Sampdoria)

ZADAR
IN: Jakov Surac, Marin Alexon (Hajduk)
OUT: Ferdo Milin (Retired)

SLAVEN BELUPO
In: Nikola Frluzjec (Dragovoljac), Leon Benko (Kortrijk), Tomislav Hajovic (Lokomotiva)
Out: Francis Tepulic (Istra 1961), Goran Bulic (Slatina), Mateas Delic (Gangwon), Tomislav Labudurovic, Filip Marcic (RNK Split)

ISTRA PULA 1961
In: Franjo Tepulic (Belupo), Julio Barrabes, Dario Puric (Steel), Mario Juric (Slaven Belupo), Mirko Plantic (Sesvete), Igor Weitzer (Sikori Briceg)
Out: Marijan Markovic (First Vienna), Gjerj Bushaj, Bosko Stupcic, Igor Zurzinov

NK CIBALIA
OUT: Boris Leutar (Retired)

DINAMO ZAGREB
IN: Antun Palic (Zapresic), Josip Brezovec (Varazdin)
OUT: Dodo (Lokomotiva), Igor Vidakovic (Dragovoljac), Etto (PAOK), Miroslav Slepicka (Feurth), Carlos (Zagreb)

HAJDUK SPLIT
IN: Mario Ticinovic (Karlovac), Mario Sacer (Varazdin)
OUT: Tonci Kukoc (Dragovoljac), Senijad Ibricic (Lokomotiv Moscow), Leo Novak (NK Zagreb), Marin Alexon (Zadar), Ivan Strinic (Dnipro)

HRVATSKI DRAGOVOLJAC
IN: Igor Vidakovic (Dinamo), Tonci Kukoc (Hajduk)
OUT: Alen Mesanovic (Sloboda Tuzla), Nikola Frzuljec (Slaven Belupo), Leopold Novak (Hajduk), Plumb Jusufi (Gorica)

INTER ZAPRESIC
IN: Ante Budimir (Gorica), Ivan Mrsic & Mirko Kramaric (Lokomotiva), Tomislav Ivankovic (Brdovec)
OUT: Antun Palic (Dinamo), Nenad Nikolic, Mario Sopic

LOKOMOTIVA
IN: Dodo (Dinamo), Walid Atta (AIK), Lamin Sametah (Steve Biko)
OUT: Ivan Mrsic (Zapresic), Almir Bekic (Sloboda Tuzla), Ilija Sivonjic, Tomislav Hajovic (Belupo)

OSIJEK
IN: Mark Leskovic (Suhopolje)
OUT: Sasa Novakovic & Toni Kacunic (Crikvenica), Peter Stojkic, Vedran Niksic (Gyor)

RNK SPLIT
IN: Filip Marcic (Slaven Belupo), Ante Capin (Imotski), Ivica Krizanac (Zenit)
OUT: Petar Simic, Dalibor Mandaric (Imotski), Ivan Muslin (Solin), Qeremi Shpat

VARAZDIN
IN: Srebrenko Posavec (Slaven Belupo), Antonio Asanovic (Hajduk), Matias Zubak (Sesvete)
OUT: Josip Brezovec (Dinamo), Mario Sacer (Hajduk), Stjepan Kokot & Dario Suntesic (Medimurje), Matija Katanec (Baumgarten)

HNK SIBENIK
IN: Dario Kristo (Omis), Marko Culic (Junak)

BANOVIC FIRST TO MOVE

SC Freiburg midfielder Ivica Banovic will continue his career with SV Duisburg after agreeing a switch last week. Banovic has enjoyed a successful career to date in Germany playing his football with Werder Bremen, Nuremburg, before guiding Frieburg to promotion. At 30 years of age, Banovic will be satisfied to still be attracting competitive German clubs which opportunities of promotion.

Banovic, will be joined in Bundesliga 2 by Josip Tadic, who needs to rebuild his career at Arminia Bielfeld after a poor spell in France with Grenoble. Mario Gavranovic also looks set for a Germany switch going from Schalke to St Pauli, however this deal is yet to be completed. In Holland Dario Vuckcevic will play the remainder of the season with Venlo after failing to establish himself at FC Twente.

Free agents Marko Babic and Dino Drpic will also need to suit up to a new club as soon as possible. Drpic at present is closest to a new employer after interest from Greek club AEK Athens. Ajax's Darko Bodul also requires some football, whilst Werder Bremen also will like to see the back of defensive midfielder Jurica Vranjes.

DINAMO CONTINUE COLLECTING PLAYERS

Dinamo coach Vahid Halilhodizic is guarenteed to be never short of options after the club bought a series of new players in December. Josip Brezovec arrives from Varazdin most likely to deputise for the injured Matias Chago. Brezovec however still has a fight to displace Arjan Ademi and Adrian Callelo in order to see any playing time. Similarly Antun Palic, who joins from Inter Zapresic must battle with Milan Badelj, Sammir and Pedro Morales for a space in the squad. Mateo Kovacic and Mario Situm were also brought up from the youth system. Should Sibenik also allow Mehmed Alispahic to sign up, Dinamo however may consider transferring Sammir or Badelj, but neither are likely to go for less than 8m Euro's.

In order to replace Brezovec, Varazdin may turn to their former player Gordan Golik who is still only 25 and available on a free transfer. Srebrenko Posavec has also been training with the club and may now be signed up to a contract. Slaven Belupo and Rijeka may also be hunting for new players. Belupo agreed a deal worth 2m Euro's for star forward Mateas Delic to join Gangwon in South Korea. Meantime Amkar Perm and Sheffield Wednesday are preparing a deal to sign Rijeka's Montenegro international striker Radomir Dalovic.

It would the third occasion Dalovic would have left Croatia to move abroad, but would open the door for Rijeka to attempt to re-sign Ahmad Sharbini from Rijeka. Bnei Sahknin's Dario Zahora could also become a target although he is currently under contract. Former Dinamo Zagreb player Ivan Bosnjak is still looking for a club which may interest Belupo or Rijeka, whilst Leon Benko may also be closing under the microscope having just been released from Kortrijk.

Many in demand HNL1 forwards may require transfer fees. Cibalia's Dino Kresinger and Mladen Bartolovic have enjoyed excellant seasons, whilst HNK Split have also been satisfied with the work of Romano Oblinovic and Bojan Golubovic. Another forward on the look out for a move is Dinamo's Brazilian striker Dodo who would welcome a switch to another HNL1 side such as Slaven Belupo or in form Inter Zapresic.