Atletico Madrid have received a double boost ahead of the derby against Real Madrid on November 18, with key players Koke and Yannick Carrasco returning to training with the squad.
The Rojiblancos playmaker, Koke, missed the last six games with a thigh muscle injury picked up against Barcelona last month, while winger Carrasco has not played for the La Liga side since the draw at Qarabag, also last month, with a knee problem.
The pair absence have left Diego Simeone‘s side in some serious poor run, whose late win at Deportivo La Coruna last weekend was only their second in nine games across all competitions.
Carrasco and Koke took part in training on Tuesday along with the players not away on international duty.
? ? First training session of the week!
Check out the best pictures from today's afternoon session.
➕?➡https://t.co/ikhQAckYgC#AupaAtleti pic.twitter.com/VV9TsRv74K— Atlético de Madrid (@atletienglish) November 7, 2017
A club statement read: “Carrasco and Koke worked with the group,” while also adding that the duo are both into the final stages of their recovery: “The winger and midfielder are into the final stretch of their recoveries.”
Atletico Madrid defenders Filipe Luis and Stefan Savic remain sidelined with minor injuries, but they’ve been both expected to be available when when they welcome the reigning European and La Liga champions at the Wanda Metropolitano.
In other news, Atletico are looking to invest up front in the upcoming winter transfer window after an unconvincing start to the season, with Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah one of their priority targets.
The report is according to Gol Digital which claimed Simeone is prepared to sanction around £48million the Egyptian, who could be an upgrade on the likes of Yannick Carrasco, or even Antoine Griezmann, who hasn’t been in his best run so far this season.
It may be that Atletico are thinking ahead by targeting Salah from Liverpool who ESPN recently suggested Manchester United could be back for in the summer.
Salah has 12 goals in 17 games for Liverpool so far this season, and seems like he could be an ideal replacement for Griezmann should his elvis left the building next summer.