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The latest Croatia team news is a brilliant sign for all England fans

Sime Vrsaljko is rumoured injured for the Croats tonight but that's not even the best part

It looks like everything is falling into place just in time.

The sun hasn’t stopped shining for a month, Love Island keeps delivering the goods and England are in a WORLD CUP SEMI-FINAL.

And the latest news from the Croatia camp will be music to Gareth Southgate’s ears, although he would never say it.

Drink it in lads, it doesn’t come around very often

EPA
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Drink it in lads, it doesn’t come around very often

It looks like Croatia are going to have to line up without their key full-back Sime Vrsaljko after he left the field with a knee injury against Russia.

Vrsaljko is Atletico Madrid’s starting right back and has excelled in one of the stingiest defences in Europe this season.

It is a god-send for England’s attackers that it looks like he won’t be fit for this crunch semi-final.

Horrible sight for any player

Getty - Contributor
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Horrible sight for any player

Alongside Luka Modric and Danijel Subasic, Vrsaljko has been one of Croatia’s most influential players down the right wing both in attack and stopping their opponents as they kept three clean sheets from three in the group stage.

But one of the best performers of the World Cup with real pedigree being out injured isn’t even the best news for England.

It’s the fact that Vedran Corluka will be the man to replace him.


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You’ve got something on your head mate

Getty - Contributor
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You’ve got something on your head mate

Wait surely not the same Corluka that made his debut for Dinamo Zagreb back in 2003? I hear you ask.

It can’t be the same once that was devoid of pace and had the turning circle of a cruise liner when he left Spurs in 2012?

Well I have good news for you England fans, it is indeed the same player, now 32.

Corluka considering 90 minutes marking Raheem Sterling

AFP
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Corluka considering 90 minutes marking Raheem Sterling

As Sweden found out, when England get into gear their pacy triumvirate of Raheem Sterling, Dele Alli and Jesse Lingard can tear through any heavy-legged defenders.

While they might find Corluka’s experience of the game serves him for the first half, as his 32-year-old legs tire we could see England’s young flyers run circles round him as the game wears on.

Now it looks like Croatia’s right channel could be England’s most fruitful route to goal.

Harry ‘I eat bricks for breakfast’ Maguire

Getty - Contributor
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Harry ‘I eat bricks for breakfast’ Maguire

Especially if they can whip in crosses to our man Harry.

Obviously we’re talking about Maguire, not Kane.

Southgate will be thanking his lucky stars this morning.