Klasnic comeback crowned by Croatia call

BERLIN, Germany -- Croatian striker Ivan Klasnic is close to making history by becoming the first footballer to play for his country after having a kidney transplant.

The 28-year-old Werder Bremen forward has been included in his country's squad to face Scotland next month.

Klasnic who had a successful kidney transplant operation in March last year returned to Bundesliga football last November and proved his fitness for top-flight action with two goals in Bremen's 5-2 win over Bayer Leverkusen in December.

Croatia's star striker Eduardo has been sidelined for nine months after suffering a horrific leg injury playing for Arsenal in a Premier League game against Birmingham last month.

Klasnic has not represented his country since October 2006 and was delighted to receive his call-up for the March 26 friendly, which strengthens his chances of playing in June's Euro 2008 tournament.

"This is a fantastic acknowledgement for me," he said on the Bremen Web site.

"A return to football, and then to the national team, has always been my target during this difficult phase in my life."

In January 2007, Klasnic suffered kidney failure and has been through two transplant operations.

His body rejected the first kidney, donated by his mother last January, but a second operation was successful after his father donated a second kidney.

Klasnic must take six tablets a day and have weekly blood tests. He has special UEFA authorization to take medication listed on the banned list of drugs to prevent his body from rejecting the donated kidney.

He must avoid alcohol and sunbathing and he must take great care of his diet.

Klasnic, who has scored three goals in six league games for his club, will be out of contract at Bremen in June and Hanover 96 are interested in signing him.

He now plays and trains with a fibreglass kidney protector.

Croatian head coach Slaven Bilic said: "What Ivan has done is unbelievable .In Croatia, he is heralded as a public hero."

The son of Croatian guestworkers, Klasnic played most of his football in his home town of Hamburg before leaving St Pauli for Bremen in 2001. E-mail to a friend