Strikers Bosko Balaban, Ivica Olic and midfielder Darijo Srna have been ruled out of the Group E game after an excursion to a Zagreb nightclub.

Bilic, quoted by daily newspaper Vecernji List, said: "I can't understand why three players leave the team hotel without saying a word. It's unacceptable and that is why I will not be using them."

The Croatian team have been training the last few days at Catez, in neighbouring Slovenia about 30km east of Zagreb.

President of the Croatian football federation Vlatko Markovic was disappointed. "What has happened is terrible and I'm disappointed," he said. "They are three very good players but they must be punished because they have tarnished the reputation of the team."

However the players concerned have apologised to their teammates and to Bilic, who was named coach in July.

Balaban said: "I am guilty. I made an enormous error and I have to accept the consequences."