Dejan Lovren to miss Croatia qualifier through injury

Liverpool defender Dejan Lovren will miss Croatia's World Cup qualifier with Finland due to injury.

The 28-year-old revealed last week that he takes five painkillers before every game as he continues to battle back and Achilles problems.

Croatia boss Ante Cacic confirmed that the centre-back has not been training before matches either, ruling him out of Friday's crucial Group I qualifier.

"Lovren is playing without training with the help of injections and pills. After every game it takes time for recovery," Cacic told reporters.

Croatia are currently level on points with Iceland at the top of Group I, while Turkey and Ukraine sit just two points behind with two games remaining.