Simic set for Croatia return

Croatia claim they will be satisfied with a point against European champions France as they believe the key to qualification lies in beating England in their final match.

However, the Croats have always punched above their weight in the big tournaments and toppled Germany en route to the 1998 World Cup semi-finals and Italy in the World Cup two years ago.

Drazen Ladic, assistant coach to Otto Baric, claims the squad may be rotated but against a team like France even to get a draw the underdogs will have to put out a strong starting XI with Igor Tudor returning after serving a suspension.

Dario Simic injured a thigh against the Swiss but Baric hopes he will play.

Probable team: Butina; Simic, Tudor, N Kovac, Zivkovic; R Kovac, Mornar, Olic, Bjelica; Sokota, Prso