After scoring 29 goals in 85 games and helping FK Crvena Zvezda to a league title, he attracted Europe's biggest clubs and eventually signed an eight-year contract with Italian giants Lazio last year.

Stankovic made a stunning international debut in April 1998, grabbing two goals in a World-Cup warm-up match against South Korea.

His lightning pace and skill impressed at France 98, where he played in all three of Yugoslavia's first round games.

Stankovic can be deployed in a number of positions but generally plays as an attacking midfielder. Strong in the air, he is also, as is his scoring record suggests, lethal in front of goal.

He played in all the Euro 2000 qualifying matches and is definitely a player to look out for this summer.