Croatia coach: Kalinic sent home because of injury

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After taking down Nigeria in the first round, Croatia ranks top in the Group D and becomes the most favored team in the group to reach the knockout stage. However, the latest news about their striker Nikola Kalinic being sent home is not that pleasant for their fans.

Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic has dismissed reports Kalinic has been sent home for disciplinary reasons. The striker refused to go on as a substitute during Sunday's two-nil win over Nigeria, but yesterday the 51-year-old coach said the departure was the result of a back injury, and not because of any rift between the pair.

Nikola Kalinic of AC Milan reacts during the serie A match between AC Milan and US Sassuolo at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on April 8, 2018 in Milan, Italy./VCG Photo

Dalic revealed that the striker stated he wasn't ready to come on for the game against Nigeria due to an injury. The same thing happened during the Brazil friendly in England, as well as before the practice session on Sunday.

The injury is the latest in a string of disappointments for the Fiorentina forward this year. Kalinic netted just six goals in 41 matches during a loan spell at AC Milan this season, which wasn't enough to lock down a place in his country's stating eleven for the build up to the World Cup. The Blazers now only have one recognized forward in their 23-man squad, Juvenutus man Mario Mandzukic.