Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modric has branded teammate Mateo Kovacic "a very good player" and backed the Croatian to impress at the Bernabeu.

Kovacic joined Los Blancos from Inter Milan in the summer transfer window, but has not yet started a league game this term.

Modric, however, has said that the 21-year-old has 'the talent and quality" to forge a successful career with the Spanish giants.

"[Mateo Kovacic] is a very good player, very talented and has quality. He did very well when he entered the pitch [on Saturday]," Modric told reporters.

Real Madrid, who have collected seven points from their three La Liga matches this season, recorded a 6-0 win away to Espanyol on Saturday.