Dalic: "I can't risk playing Ivan Rakitic against England"

Croatia's coach Zlatko Dalic confirms that Ivan Rakitic has an injury and won't be risked for the match against England in the UEFA Nations League on Sunday.

"Rakitic has a minor injury. It isn't anything serious but my I never put my players at risk. He'll return to Barcelona," Dalic told SPORT before his side travel to London for their next game.

The Barça midfielder was suffering from discomfort in his thigh during the second half of Croatia's match against Spain on Thursday. The player asked to be replaced as to not further aggravate the injury. He came off in the 67th minute for Nikola Vlasic.

"He Asked to subbed off"

Dalic confirmed that Rakitic "asked to be replaced" and he left the pitch "worried" because he didn't know how serious his discomfort might be. The midfielder took his place on the bench and watched his side hold on to the victory.

Rakitic will undergo tests once he returns to Spain but there isn't an immediate concern because the player is suspended for the club's next league match against Atletico Madrid on the 24th.

Should nothing serious appear on those tests, Rakitic would be available for selection again on the 28th November for Barcelona's clash with PSV in the Champions League. If he's not ready then he should be back for the LaLiga fixture against Villarreal (2nd December).

The loss of Rakitic is a significant blow as Croatia and England battle it out for a place in the 'Final Four' of the UEFA Nations League tournament.