Good news (for Ireland): One creative Croat in danger of missing the Euros

It might be a tad mean to take pleasure from the misfortune of others, but we can’t say we’re too upset about the potential absence of one of Croatia’s best players for the Euros.

We’d even go one step further and say that it’s a pity that it’s not Luka Modric on the sickbed at the moment, but it is another Spurs player and another creative talent set to miss out in the guise of Niko Kranjcar.

Kranjcar may not have been a regular starter for Spurs this season and he also has the incredibly annoying habit of playing an entire game while grabbing the ends of his shirt sleeves, but he’s a huge threat from midfield when the mood takes him, as it often does when he’s wearing the national colours.

The 27-year old has scored 15 goals in 66 appearances for Croatia and was their leading scorer in qualifying, but a knee injury suffered in training with Spurs last week could rule him out of the tournament in Poland and Ukraine in the summer.

Tottenham have already confirmed that Kranjcar will not play for the club again in this campaign, with Harry Redknapp telling the club website: “Niko is out for the season.”

Reports in Croatia are suggesting, however, that with over six weeks yet to go until the opening game against Ireland, Kranjcar is confident of recovering in time.

We wish you all the best in your rehabilitation Niko, but if you could delay your comeback until anytime after 10 June, it would be much appreciated, cheers.