Vedran Corluka has apologised for getting himself suspended for the vital England clash in midweek.
Croatia defender apologises for missing vital England game
Vedran Corluka has apologised to his manager and team-mates after getting himself suspended for the clash with England at Wembley on Wednesday.
The Tottenham defender received his marching orders on Saturday when he collected a second yellow card for time-wasting in Croatia's less than impressive 1-0 qualifying win over Belarus.
The 23-year-old is an integral part of Slaven Bilic's side and will be sorely missed in what is a massive game for the Croats.
Although England know a win is good enough for them to book their place at South Africa next summer, Croatia are still battling it out for a play-off spot with Ukraine.
"I apologise to my team-mates, the coach, the fans and the nation because I have left them in the lurch going into a difficult game," he told the
Daily Mirror.
Surrender
"I'm very upset, but together with Luka Modric, I will be a fan against England and I will be hoping we get a positive result.
"Belarus was an important game for us and an important win but it is the England game we have all been thinking about and looking forward to."
However, despite Bilic likening his injury-hit squad to a 'crippled puppy', Corluka is hoping England underestimate the Croatians as a result of their notable absentees.
"Maybe with Luka and I both out, England will underestimate us," he added.
"But we still have enough quality players to do well at Wembley. We are not expected to win but we will go there to fight and to try.
"We will not surrender because everything is possible."
