Modric will also be out against Slovenia

Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic has decided not to include Real Madrid's Luka Modric in the squad for Tuesday's World Cup 2022 qualifier in Split against Slovenia, the Croatian Football Federation has confirmed on its website.

For the same reason, a muscle injury not yet fully healed, Dalic has also not called up striker Ante Budimir, currently on loan at Osasuna from Mallorca, for that match, according to the same source.

"Despite the visible progress after the corresponding therapies, Modric and Budimir would not be ready for the match against Slovenia, which will require great competitive efforts," the federation explained.

The midfielder and captain of the Croatian national team, who turns 36 next week, suffered an adductor muscle injury during a training session with Real Madrid in mid-August.