Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane has insisted that he will not rush Luka Modric back to first-team action following his month-long layoff.
The 31-year-old injured his knee during Los Blancos' 2-2 draw with Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League, leaving Madrid without one of their key midfield components.
Croatia manager Ante Cacic hinted this week that he would call Modric up to his latest squad for November's qualifiers, despite his lack of playing time in recent weeks, but Zidane is reluctant to get the Tottenham Hotspur man back on the field until he has fully recovered.
"I'm not going to comments on [Cacic's] words," he told reporters. "I have information from my medics and [Modric] still isn't with the team.
"He is recovering and he is doing slightly better. We are taking it one day at a time. Next week will be important and we have to have patience."
Modric has made seven appearances for Madrid in all competitions this season and one for national side Croatia.
Daniel Lewis
