How Canada could line up against Croatia

The Canucks were sweating over the fitness of Alphonso Davies, Stephen Eustaquio and Milan Borjan ahead of their opening clash with Belgium, but all three were able to start that 1-0 loss.

Herdman did not pick up any new injuries in that defeat, where his side certainly gave the Red Devils a scare or two, so a largely unaltered lineup should take to the field here.

Goalkeeper Borjan will expect to be protected by a back three of Alistair Johnston, Steven Vitoria and Kamal Miller, although the former is one yellow card away from a ban.

Davies's missed penalty against Belgium may cost him spot-kick duties, but not his place in the starting lineup, as the versatile Bayern Munich man starts alongside right-wing back Richie Laryea.

Captain Atiba Hutchinson is in line to win his 100th cap for Canada on Sunday, and the Besiktas man should once again line up alongside Eustaquio in the engine room, assuming his 39-year-old legs can handle two starts in four days.

Tajon Buchanan and Jonathan David are not at risk of losing their spots in the final third, but Cyle Larin is pushing hard to replace Junior Hoilett and may come into Herdman's thinking for a start, with Canada only seeing three of their 22 attempts against Belgium hit the target.

Canada possible starting lineup: Borjan; Laryea, Johnston, Vitoria, Miller, Davies; Buchanan, Hutchinson, Eustaquio, Larin; David