Real midfielder Luka Modrić was omitted from Niko Kovač's squad due to knee injury.
"I have spoken to Luka and he is simply not ready, not even for training sessions, let alone competitive matches. Of course, it is a pity that he can't be with us, but his health is the most important thing and there is no need to take any chances. Luka will play many more important matches for Croatia, and the only logical thing is to support his full recovery", explained Kovač.
Niko Kovač called-up 30 players for the matches against Gibraltar and @azzurri @EuroQualifiers #EURO2016 #BeProud pic.twitter.com/WRV0IVBMWK
— HNS | CFF (@HNS_CFF) May 25, 2015
Kovač selected the following 30 players to face Gibraltar and Italy:
Goalkeepers: Danijel Subašić (Monaco), Lovre Kalinić (Hajduk), Ivan Vargić (Rijeka)
Defenders: Vedran Ćorluka (Lokomotiv Moscow), Tin Jedvaj (Bayer Leverkusen), Marin Leovac (Rijeka), Dejan Lovren (Liverpool), Danijel Pranjić (Panathinaikos), Gordon Schildenfeld (Panathinaikos), Darijo Srna (Shakhtar), Ivan Tomečak (Rijeka), Domagoj Vida (Dynamo Kiev), Šime Vrsaljko (Sassuolo)
Midfielders: Milan Badelj (Fiorentina), Marcelo Brozović (Inter Milan), Alen Halilović (Barcelona B), Mato Jajalo (Palermo), Mateo Kovačić (Inter Milan), Mario Pašalić (Elche), Ivan Rakitić (Barcelona), Marko Rog (Split)
Strikers: Nikola Kalinić (Dnipro), Andrej Kramarić (Leicester City), Mario Mandžukić (Atletico Madrid), Ivica Olić (HSV), Ivan Perišić (Wolfsburg), Marko Pjaca (Dinamo), Ante Rebić (RB Leipzig), Anas Sharbini (Rijeka), Mario Šitum (Spezia).
Croatia squad will meet on 3 June in Zagreb, with Rakitić, Srna, Vida, Pranjić and Schildenfeld to join on 8 June, due to their club obligations.
"The very end of club season is always challenging for all the players, but we are preparing for a great match against Italy. I am convinced that this will be more than enough to find the maximum strength, and our squad has plenty of options for Gibraltar friendly", said Kovač.
Croatia will face Gibraltar on 7 June in Varaždin (kick-off time 18:00), with the European qualifier against Italy scheduled for 12 June in Split (20:45).
