Croatia given a boost as Modric escapes serious injury

The Real Madrid player spent Friday in hospital after receiving an injury to his foot but a scan has revealed there was no ligament damage


Croatia have been given a boost with the news midfielder Luka Modric has avoided a serious foot injury.

The Real Madrid man suffered a painful blow during Thursday's controversial 3-1 defeat to Brazil in the opening game of the World Cup.

Croatia felt aggrieved by some of Yuichi Nishimura's refereeing, particularly his decision to award a penalty to Brazil after a coming together between Dejan Lovren and Fred with the score at 1-1.

However, the more pressing concern for coach Niko Kovac was the fitness of Modric, who went to hospital for a scan on Friday.

"Luka stayed in El Salvador. We will see what happened to him. Yesterday, he got a strong blow to the foot," Kovac said.

However, a statement published on the Croatian football association's website confirmed that an MRI "proved there is no fracture or ligament damage".

Modric is therefore expected to recover quickly, and should be available for full training on Sunday before Croatia face Cameroon in their crucial second Group A fixture three days later.