Boris Nemec, who is the head of medical services for the Croatian national team, has blamed Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti for Luka Modric's latest injury problem.

Modric picked up a hamstring problem last November and only recently returned to the fold, but the midfielder is now facing six weeks on the sidelines with a knee injury.

Nemec has blamed Ancelotti for 'not using Modric sparingly' in the early stages of the 29-year-old's recovery.

"Ancelotti didn't use Luka sparingly after his return from a long-term injury," Nemec has been quoted as saying by AS.

"He was playing 90 minutes every game. Ancelotti put Modric under pressure, instead of slowly giving him minutes.

"Modric wasn't injured because of a blow he received but because he wasn't 100%. If he hadn't been overworked the lower part of the leg wouldn't have gone from side to side."

Modric has recently revealed that he hopes to return before the end of the season.