Croatia coach Zlatko Kranjcar has named a 24-man squad for next month’s World Cup in Germany.

“I earlier said I would pick the players who carried the burden of qualifying so I’ve had a pretty clear picture of who to choose for some time,” Kranjcar told a news conference.

He will send his official 23-name list to FIFA but will also take Dinamo Zagreb defender Marijan Buljat to Germany as cover in case of any withdrawals.

In the group stage Croatia face Brazil, Australia and Japan and Kranjcar said he saw his team progressing.

Croatia Squad:

Goalkeepers: Tomislav Butina (Club Bruges), Stipe Pletikosa (Hajduk Split), Joe Didulica (Austria Vienna)

Defenders: Robert Kovac (Juventus), Stjepan Tomas (Galatasaray), Dario Simic (AC Milan), Mario Tokic (Austria Vienna), Josip Simunic (Hertha Berlin), Igor Tudor (Siena), Marijan Buljat (Dinamo Zagreb)

Midfielders: Jerko Leko (Dynamo Kiev), Niko Kranjcar (Hajduk Split), Niko Kovac (Hertha Berlin), Marko Babic (Bayer Leverkusen), Darijo Srna (Shakhtar Donetsk), Ivan Leko (Club Bruges), Luka Modric (Dinamo Zagreb), Jurica Vranjes (Werder Bremen), Anthony Seric (Panathinaikos)

Forwards: Dado Prso (Rangers), Ivan Klasnic (Werder Bremen), Bosko Balaban (Club Bruges), Ivica Olic (CSKA Moscow), Ivan Bosnjak (Dinamo Zagreb).