ZAGREB (AFP) - Croatia's national team doctor blames Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti for Luka Modric's latest knee injury.

"Carlo Ancelotti is guilty for Modric's troubles," Croatia's chief medical officer Boris Nemec told the Sportske Novosti daily.

Modric's latest setback comes after a five-month injury layoff.

And Dr Nemec said: "Although Luka was out for competitive football for months, ever since he returned he (Ancelotti) was forcing him at every match. He did not spare him at all, on the contrary he burdened him."

Dr Nemec, an orthopaedist and a prominent knee expert, added: "The injury is the consequences of the tiredness."

Real Madrid said on Sunday that the tests carried out on Modric by the club's medical team have diagnosed a sprain in the medial collateral ligament in his right knee.

The tests were carried out after Modric suffered a heavy blow to his knee in a challenge with Malaga midfielder Recio on Saturday.

Real did not indicate how long the Croatian would be sidelined for, but Spanish media reported that he is set for six weeks out which would end his season, barring Real's presence should they make it in the Champions League final on June 6.

Modric has only recently returned from a five-month injury layoff and his presence has coincided with Real's upturn in form in recent weeks.

Modric voiced hope that a good rehabilitation could speed up his recover.

"I will try to overcome this difficult situation... There is nothing else I could do. I don't give up as far as it concerns this season," the 29-year-old told the Sportske Novosti daily.

Coach Niko Kovac also voiced hope that Modric could recover for the June 12 Euro 2016 qualifier against Italy.

"I hope that he might recover for the encounter with Italy .... But we will not force anything. Luka's health is the most important for us," he stressed in a statement.