AC Milan striker Nikola Kalinic has been sent home from the World Cup by Croatia manager Zlatko Dalic.

The Vatreni won their opening game of the tournament, defeating Nigeria 2-0 on Saturday night.

Dalic asked Kalinic, who was a substitute in the match, to come on after 85 minutes.

But the 30-year-old complained of a back injury and refused to enter the game, an excuse Dalic wasn't buying.

A press conference will be held on Monday afternoon to discuss the situation.

Mario Manduzkic is now Croatia's only one out-and-out striker in Russia.