Croatia boss Bilic has been linked with managing former club West Ham, following the resignation of Alan Curbishley last week.

However, Markovic expressed his frustration with the timing of the claims, implying that the English are intending pre-match mind games.

"This is another dirty trick by the English. They obviously want to cause trouble for us before we play," he told Sunday Express.

"It's typical of the sleaze in English football. For the story about West Ham wanting Bilic to come out now is very poor.

"We are very suspicious and unhappy as it is not the first time something like this has happened with England.

"There is no chance events at West Ham will damage us either this time."

Bilic led Croatia to double victory over England in the EURO 2008 qualifiers, kicking the Three Lions out of the Austria and Switzerland finals.

England and Croatia have both cruised to opening-day victories over Austria and Kazakhstan respectively.

Shortlist

Despite Markovic's view, Bilic has been named in the Hammers' shortlist for managers tipped to suceed Curbishley at Upton Park.

"Slaven Bilic could potentially be on that shortlist but it depends very much upon his availability," said club director Mike Lee.

"If for whatever reason he was not available until January in terms of working with us I'm afraid that will rule him out."

Other candidates include Gianfranco Zola, Roberto Donadoni and Michael Laudrup.