Everton manager Walter Smith wants to give star centre-half Slaven Bilic some company at Goodison Park - in the form of Croatian World Cup teammate Mario Stanic.

Smith has admitted he is chasing the £4.5million-rated Parma defender and Bilic is adding his persuasive touch.

"We have made an enquiry about the Croatian lad, we were led to believe that he was available. But an enquiry is as far as it goes at the moment," said Smith.

Stanic, 26, had only played nine internationals for his country before France '98, although he appeared in all seven of Croatia's games in the tournament, including their 2-1 bronze medal victory against Holland.

However, 16 international appearances may not convince the Home Office that a work permit should be issued, as players have to play in 45 per cent of their country's internationals in the previous year, not including friendlies.

Smith said: "As far as the work permit is concerned, people will realise that Stanic was injured for a fair part of last season and he has been a regular international for Croatia over a period of time."

And for Bilic, there could be no better arrival on Merseyside. "When I joined up with the rest of the Everton players in Holland after my break following the World Cup, the manager asked me about Stanic," he said.

"He said he was his target and he was very interested in him."