Croatian striker Nikola Kalinic sent home from World Cup for refusing to play against Nigeria

CROATIAN coach Zlatko Dalic has sent striker Nikola Kalinic back home from the World Cup after the player refused to come on during the team's recent match against Nigeria apparently in protest at not being started.

Last Saturday, Croatia beat Nigeria 2-0 at the Kaliningrad Stadium in what was one of the Super Eagles' most timid World Cup outings ever. With five minutes to go, Coach Dalic asked Kalinic to come on but the striker refused to be introduced as a substitute, saying that he had a back injury.

Following the incident, Kalinic, 30, has been sent home and cannot be replaced, meaning Croatia will have to make do with only 22 players for the rest of the tournament. Kalinic, who played for Blackburn Rovers in the English Premier League between 2009 and 2011 and has scored 15 goals in 41 appearances for Croatia, was starting his fourth international in a row on the bench, which he was apparently unhappy with.

Coach Dalic said: "I need my players fit and ready to play. During the Nigeria encounter, Kalinic was warming up and was supposed to come on in the second half, however, he then stated that he wasn't ready to come on due to a back issue.

"The same thing happened during the Brazil friendly in England, as well as before the practice session on Sunday. I have calmly accepted that and since I need my players fit and ready to play, I have made this decision."

Kalinic spent last season on loan at AC Milan from Fiorentina, scoring six goals in 41 appearances, before making the move permanent this summer. He becomes the first player to be sent home from Russia 2018 for falling out with his manager.