STRIKERS WITH POINTS TO PROVE

Despite numerous options, Croatia find themselves struggling to find a striker to make the number 9 shirt firmly there own. After Nikola Kalinic failed to impress against Georgia, Nikica Jelavic played the friendly with France, but was similarly anonymous. Bilic's has been attempting to build the next generation of strikers, but Croatia still appear in need of Ivica Olic, Eduardo Da Silva and potentially Ivan Klasnic, whilst new arrivals in the squad adjust to international football.

With Mario Mandzukic and Nikola Kalinic struggling to hold down regular places at Wolfsburg and Blackburn Rovers respectively, Jelavic who is a Rangers star forward would appear to have a head start. The 25 year old clearly needs time to fit in with Croatia's style of play. If fully fit and scoring it appears Bayern Munich's Olic is still Croatia's star man. Having lost pace Eduardo will compete with Ivan Perisic who impressed against France in support striking roles.

Slaven Bilic currently dismissed Ivan Klasnic for international matches. However Klasnic has been the most effective Croatian forward in the English Premier League, continually putting points on the board for his club with important goals. Whilst Klasnic, who scored twice in Euro 2008 is proven in European and domestic competition Mandzukic and Srdjan Lakic struggled of late. Mandzukic, Lakic and Kalinic will all need better seasons next year to convince Slaven Bilic they should be in the reckoning.

Mate Bilic also may feel hard done by to be dropped, but needs to depart Sporting Gijon in order to pick up regular football, even if back at Hajduk Split. Only a monster season could see him come back into the fold. In reserve Dinamo Zagreb's Ante Rukavina, Ergotelis's Mario Budimir, Sparta Prague's Andrej Keric and Aris Salonika's Daniel Cesarec have been nothing special this season. Sasa Bjelanovic of Atalanta and Igor Budan of Cesana may be in line for HNL1 after goals dried up. Keric and Budimir still have potential but need to do more.

Arminia Bielfeld's Josip Tadic has shown signs of improvement, whilst Hajduk's Ante Vukusic has had a strong season, but still has much to prove at high level football. Whilst Mario Gavranovic chose Switzerland over Croatia, all is not neccessary lost as young Croatian Under 21 player Petar Sliskovic shows signs of potential at Mainz, as does Hoffenheim's Boris Vukcevic.

TERKES SALE COULD PROVE COSTLY

Zadar slipped into the relegation zone at the weekend, after suffering defeat to Istra 1961. Zadar are now heavily reliant on Ivan Santini after allowing Zelimir Terkes to go to China with Chandong Lifan. Santini would remain the teams prize asset if Zadar were relegated and may be intrigued to do a deal with Hajduk Split, with whom they have been engaging in long running business. Things are looking more rosey with Osijek, after adding Marko Babic and Goran Ljubojevic the team is on the up. President Robert Spehar also is confident of bringing Jurica Vranjes in the summer. Tomislav Sorsa is being watched by Bochum and may be sold to finance a deal.

Slaven Belupo meantime sacked coach Mile Petkovic and replaced him with former player Roy Ferencina who impressed with Lokomotiva Zagreb last season. Ferencina immediately got a reaction at the weekend with a 4-0 win. Leon Benko with 3 goals in 6 matches needs to keep scoring for the team to keep comfortable in midtable. Tomislav Busic, however has disappointed and could be moved on in the summer. Sibenik and Istra keep fighting, but are yet to get themselves out of danger. Sibenik's purchase of HNL3 striker Drazen Jelic has been highly successful, whilst Mehmad Alispahic is key. With Pedro Morales, Sammir, Antun Palic and Mario Situm all on Dinamo's books its uncertain whether Alispahic made the right move in going to the Croatian capital. Palic, particularly has seen little football since moving across from Inter Zapresic.

It appears Zapresic will fight it out with RNK Split and Cibalia for the last Europa Liga spot. Zapresic have turned around their season in remarkable fashion under Ilija Loncarevic and appear to have a future star in Macedonian striker Aleksandr Trajkovski. Cibalia have enjoyed a similar good season with Dino Kresinger and Mladen Bartolovic forming a highly successful strike partnership. Rijeka may stay happy with midtable safety after a turbulant season. Dutch signing Sergio Zijler has yet to really prove himself. Similarly whilst Vedran Gerc may earn a new contract, Rijeka may look to a more experienced forward such as Ahmad Sharbini in the summer, who sees little football at Hajduk.

Hajduk themselves could be looking for a new coach in the summer as results have been stuttering under Goran Vukevic. A new striker to support Ante Vukusic seems vital, with Croatian international Mate Bilic a likely target from Sporting Gijon. Zagreb's Ivan Kristanovic could also be looked at after a strong season at NK Zagreb. Besides Vukusic, Marin Ljubicic has impressed in midfield and Srdjan Andric has performed better when pushed into a playmaker role.

AMKAR BAG DJALOVIC

HNK Rijeka have transferred star striker Radomir Djalovic after the Montenegrin international completed his medical with Russian club Amkar Perm. Amkar, who also have ex Osijek man Josip Knezevic long desired to sign the ex Zagreb and Arminia Bielfeld forward and have now tied up his signature.

Cash strapped Rijeka are now to rely on the inexperienced Vedran Gerc, Valentin Stepcic, Sandi Krizman and Sergio Zijler to take his place. Rijeka particular will need Dutchman Zijler to step up his game. Gerc, meanwhile is playing for a new contract after making just four appearences this season. Should neither man succede in filling Djalovic's boots the club could be set for a difficult end to the season.

Dinamo Zagreb are expected to make Ilija Sivonjic available at the end of the season. Bosko Balaban (Pananios), Krunoslav Lovrek (Jeonbuk Motors) and Tomo Sokota (Olymija Ljubljana) at present look set to stay on at their current clubs for another year, Whilst Antun Dunkovic is fighting for a new deal at Mechelen.

KLASNIC AND TADIC RETURN TO FORE

Bolton Wanderers striker Ivan Klasnic has put himself back within a chance of returning to the Croatian national team after firing winners to defeat Fulham, Wigan Athletic in the FA Cup and against Aston Villa in the league. Such form will impress coach Slaven Bilic who is looking for a striker of such calibre after Mario Mandzukic and Srdjan Lakic struggled to find their form in the new year.

Mandzukic has still to score for Wolfsburg, whilst Lakic could lose out to the more experienced and proven hitman Klasnic. It was thought the 31 year old may be on the slide after Owen Coyle signed Daniel Sturridge to push Klasnic further down the pecking order behind Kevin Davies and Johann Ellmander. However Klasnic has thought back with the expert finishing and is likely to see more games as the season enters the vital months.

Another player who has enjoyed a reversal of fortunes is Josip Tadic, who scored his third goal for Arminia Bielfeld at the weekend after arriving from Grenoble. Bundesliga 2 seems more suited to the former Dinamo Zagreb and Osijek striker, who will aim to follow Ivo Ilicevic and Srdjan Lakic's example of attempting to return to high level football.

Elsewhere Rijeka could be in dissaray with star striker Radomir Dalovic on the verge of a move to the Russian league with Amkar Perm. The Montenegro international's departure leaves Rijeka relying on the unproven Vedran Gerc, Sandi Krizman, Valentin Stepcic and Sergio Zijler. Rijeka's would only be able replace Dalovic with a quick fire free agent signing with Ivan Bosnjak a possible option.

BOSNJAK TAKES LIFAN OPTION

Striker Ivan Bosnjak has finally settled his future after a year out of the game.

The 32 year old has signed with Chinese second division side Chongquin Lifan, along with fellow Croats Dario Dabac and Stjepan Jukic. Bruno Siklic however has left the club to sign for Hubei Zongboo.

Whilst Bosnjak has decided his club, defensive midfielder Gordan Golik is six months without a employer after leaving Lech Poznan. Former club Varazdin may be interested in taking the player, but would need to make a sale first. Renato Puncec is currently there prize asset whilst Filip Skvorc has also been impressing.

Meantime NK Lokomotiva have signed former Dinamo Zagreb striker Dario Zahora. Lokomotiva have allowed striker Ilija Sivonjic and Marko Simic to both leave in recent weeks leaving Nino Bule, Dodo, Ivan Peko and Dalibor Pandza as their only forward options. If Loko could get the experienced Zahora in tandum with Bule, they are likely to loan out Pandza.

RODIC SIGNS UP TO ISTRA

Istra 1961 have completed the signing of striker Ivan Rodic for the remainder of the season. Istra have had a big turnaround in their forward line with Bosko Stupcic and Edin Hadzic both heading out the exit door and Rodic, Eliomar, Franjo Tepuric and Mario Juric all arriving. Asim Sehic is still at the club and will look to form a partnership with Rodic. Rodic, already has 4 goals to his name from starting the season with Rijeka. His more than suspect release from the club has been to Istra's benefit.

Meantime there is little news on a new club for Ivan Bosnjak or Gordan Golik, however Marko Maric has signed with MLS Outfit Chicago Fire. The Fire were also interested in former Croatian international Marko Babic, but the 29 year old has decided to return home to sign with NK Osijek. Babic's arrival is one of the biggest signings of the season in the Croatian league. Elsewhere former Dinamo Zagreb forward Guillermo Suarez has signed with Chilean outfit DC O'Higgins and has already made an impressive start scoring 2 goals in his first 3 games. Meanwhile former Dinamo and Zapresic teammate Miroslav Saric is serving a prison sentance after attack a man outside a bar.

OSIJEK SIGN LJUBOJEVIC

NK Osijek have made a significant signing after recruiting striker Goran Ljubojevic, who has recently been playing regularly with AIK Stockholm. 27 year old will take the place of Vedran Niksic who joined Hungarian side Gyor. Powerful ex Croatian Under 21 international frontman Ljubojevic brings a wealth of experience from his time with Osijek, Dinamo, Racing Genk and NK Zagreb. Ljubojevic, will fight for a place alongside Ivan Milicevic, Josip Barisic and Anton Maglica.

Osijek are hoping Ljubojevic's arrival will encourage Marko Babic to join up who is currently a free agent after leaving Real Zaragoza. Jurica Vranjes has also been mentioned, who is still contracted to Werder Bremen till the end of the season. Whilst Ljubojevic has left Scandanavia, Domagoj Abramovic has returned to Finnish club Inter Turku after playing in the Greek second Division with Olympiakos Volos and Pierikos. Whilst Abramovic leaves Greece, Dino Drpic has finally suited up to a new club in the Superliga with AEK Athens. The 29 year old Croatian international has been without a employer for 12 months since leaving Karlsruhre.

Free agents Ivan Rodic, Gordan Golik, Ivan Bosnjak, Tomislav Vranjic and Marko Maric are still going to waste. Bosnjak and Vranjic had been training with Cibalia. Maric meanwhile is a former player of NK Zagreb, whilst Golik was linked with Varazdin as a replacement for Josip Brezovec. It is thought however Varazdin needed to make another selling to make room for his arrival. Lokomotiva meanwhile have sent Marko Simic on loan to Radnik Sesvete.