Croatia will face Ireland on Saturday minus both their star strikers through injury. Alen Boksic and Davor Suker have been forced to withdraw from the group eight clash at Lansdowne Road because of knee injuries but the loss of Real Madrid star Suker, top scorer in the World Cup finals, is a particularly heavy blow to the Croats.

Coach Miroslav Blazevic, attempting to build on his side's third-place finish at France '98, has given a late call-up to Igor Pamic who plays for German club Hansa Rostock.

Everton defender Slaven Bilic was not considered because of a long-term injury while Robert Prosinecki refuses to play for his country while Blazevic stays in charge of the national team.

Prosinecki will be badly missed after almost single-handedly ousting Celtic from the Champions' League with two goals in Croatia Zagreb's 30 second leg victory a fortnight ago.

Croatia will train in Dublin this afternoon and again at Lansdowne Road tomorrow.