Tottenham midfielder Luka Modric has described his injury setback as "part of life" in football after being ruled out for six weeks.

Modric suffered a broken leg during Tottenham's weekend win against Birmingham, and will miss big games for his club, plus Croatia's World Cup qualifiers against Belarus and England.

The president of the Croatian federation claimed the injury suffered by Modric left him wondering whether his country's top stars are being deliberately targeted for rough treatment in the Premier League.

Modric told spurs.co.uk: "It's been a fantastic start to the season and because of that, I'm disappointed.

"It's also happened at a time where I've important games for the club and for my national team.

"But it's part of life in our sport and I have to lift my head up and try to be positive, to come back as soon as possible and to come back stronger."