Croatia big guns return to line-up for Denmark clash

Soccer Football - World Cup - Croatia Press Conference - Nizhny Novgorod Stadium, Nizhny Novgorod, Russia - June 30, 2018 Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic and Luka Modric during the press conference REUTERS/Damir Sagolj

NIZHNY NOVGOROD, Russia (Reuters) - Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic brought back his big-name players for Sunday's last 16 clash against Denmark, restoring striker Mario Mandzukic, midfielder Ivan Rakitic and defender Dejan Lovren who were rested for their final Group D game.

Croatia's captain and veteran playmaker Luka Modric played in that game, however, and was leading the team again on Sunday. He has scored two goals in Croatia's charge to the last 16 with three wins out of three.

Danish coach Age Hareide, criticised for a defensive approach in the 0-0 draw with France that guaranteed their passage to the next round, gave a first outing of the tournament to defender Jonas Knudsen.

Soccer Football - World Cup - Croatia Training - Croatia Training Camp, Nizhny Novgorod, Russia - June 30, 2018 Croatia's Ivan Rakitic, Luka Modric and team mates during training REUTERS/Damir Sagolj

The Danes have not lost in their last 18 FIFA sanctioned matches and will be looking to their playmaker, Christian Eriksen, to open up Croatia, who have conceded just one goal so far in Russia.

Striker Yussuf Poulsen returned for Denmark after suspension.

Soccer Football - World Cup - Round of 16 - Croatia vs Denmark - Nizhny Novgorod Stadium, Nizhny Novgorod, Russia - July 1, 2018 Croatia's Vedran Corluka, Luka Modric, Marcelo Brozovic and Danijel Subasic and Mateo Kovacic inside the stadium before the match REUTERS/Damir Sagolj

(Reporting by Andrew Cawthorne; Editing by Christian Radnedge)

Soccer Football - World Cup - Croatia Training - Croatia Training Camp, Nizhny Novgorod, Russia - June 30, 2018 Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic talks to the players during training REUTERS/Damir Sagolj