Diego Costa could be out of action until April due to neck injury (AS)

The Spain forward has been diagnosed with a herniated cervical disc and will undergo further tests to determine the length of time he will be out.

Atlético Madrid striker Diego Costa could be out for most of the 2019-20 season after the club detected a herniated cervical disc. Costa, who will undergo further tests with neurosurgery specialists in the coming days to determine the extent of the problem and the Spain forward could be out of action until April.

Atlético released a statement on Thursday to the effect that Costa would be examined and assessed to see if he requires surgery or not. However, medical sources consulted by AS said that due to his playing style, position and particularly because of his aerial prowess, the most likely course of treatment will require months to pay dividends. The main source of concern is to discover whether or not the injury is affecting a nerve.

“If the hernia is a small one then conservative treatment will be sufficient but if it affects the nerve then it will require surgery and will be complicated,” the sources confirmed.