Croatia sweating over the fitness of Ivan Rakitic

Croatia are sweating on the fitness of midfielder Ivan Rakitic influential for their Quarter final clash with Turkey on Friday.

The Schalke man is struggling with a knee problem and will be a late fitness test before the match at Ernst Happel Stadium in Vienna.

"The team doctors are optimistic that it will be good, but it is still in pain with a niggling knee injury," Croatia coach Slaven Bilic told a press conference at the team's training base in Bad Tatzmannsdorf .

It Must pass a fitness test before the match and we hope it will be authorized by medical staff to play against Turkey. "

Rakitic was one of his side's most impressive performers in the 2-1 victory over Germany, which guarantees them first place in Group B and its partnership in the middle of the field with Tottenham new boy Luka Modric a PLAYS a vital role Croatia on the success so far.

Bilic will also be without defender Dario Knezevic and Gâche Igor Budan by injuries - the latter will miss the rest of Euro 2008.

If past Rakitic is fit, the coach should return to the XI which started the tournament after resting most of his team for the last group match against Poland.

It is Turkey coach Fatih Terim but has the widest choice concerns after seeing his team ravaged by injuries and the suspension.

The Turks will be without goalkeeper Volkan Demirel after being banned for two matches for his sending off against the Czechs later, while midfielder Mehmet Aurelio is also suspended after collecting two yellow cards.

The veteran stopper Rustu Recber - the only player among the squads Turkey have OJEU against Bilic when Turkey a 1-0 loss to Croatia in Euro 96 - should be in place in Demirel.

Defender Emre Gungor and midfielder Tumer Metin are both injured, centre back while Servet Cetin is also a doubt.

But Sabri Sarioglu utility man, whose introduction at half-time against the Czech Republic a permit to change the game, insists the Turks can cope with their absence.

He told a press conference: "In our team, each player has the ability to fill in for the rest.

"I prepare myself to play. We want another proof of passion against Croatia and, despite so many injuries and suspensions, we have enough players to overcome the difficulties we might have. "

While Croatia to reach the knock-out stages was a simple as they won three of their pool matches, Turkey was anything but.

Terim's side needed last gasp winner to beat Switzerland and the Czech Republic, after Traînés half-time in both games.

Indeed, Nihat, the winner against the Czechs - a match which decided which ends the second Group A - sealed a remarkable 3-2 victory after Turkey had Traînés 2-0 with 15 minutes Browse.

A Sabri added: "There is no second chance now, and if we can show the tempo of the Last 15 minutes against the Czech Republic, we can beat Croatia."