Atlético Madrid have confirmed Diego Costa has entered the next stage of his rehabilitation from foot surgery.
Diego Costa has stepped up his recovery from surgery on a foot injury, with Atlético Madrid hopeful the striker will be fit to face Juventus in the Champions League.
Costa has been out for a month, with the Brazil-born Spain international also having been linked with a move to Tianjin Quanjian of the Chinese Super League.
"Costa has entered the second phase of his recovery"
Coach Diego Simeone previously rejected speculation Atlético could sell Costa in the January transfer window, with the club providing an update on his recovery on Wednesday.
"Diego Costa has entered the second phase of his recovery after returning from Brazil, where he underwent an operation on his left foot on December 5," a statement said.
"Our striker is making progress in his rehabilitation and sport readaptation process. Apart from the daily physiotherapy and aerobic training on a stationary bicycle, a specific swimming pool routine is to be added shortly."
Atlético chief focused on Costa return for Juve tie
Atlético have been linked with a bid for Juve forward Paulo Dybala, but president Enrique Cerezo is focused on getting Costa back on the pitch.
"My favourite at Juve? I really like Dybala," Cerezo said to Tuttosport. "We do not think about the market.
"The only thought is to recover Diego Costa for the double challenge against Juventus. Diego is very important for us and in these matches he thrives."
Atlético host Juve in the first leg of their last-16 tie on February 20, with the return match against Serie A's leaders on March 12 in Turin.
Antogrizzy
0
i thought warriors never get hurt
You thought wrong, warriors are always fighting so what do you expect?
Antogrizzy
0
I don't think Simeone trusts Gelson enough to play in a wide role, atleast not yet.
He's still learning my friend
Antogrizzy
0
So even if we have kept him, we would be suffering from the same issues that plague us now except Diego is much older than Alvaro.
Diego is a far better striker all-round than Morata
NewsanRaes
3
Nice to have him with Ronaldo. Lets show them Atletico power.
davidolive
1
at least someone Juventus would tremble for
teamgrizi7
7
Hope Costa can be back for UCL games and dominate!
Bourdieu
2
His fall from form is sharpest possibly only next to Torres
Jackys
1
So even if we have kept him, we would be suffering from the same issues that plague us now except Diego is much older than Alvaro.
popola
1
This is for the best in my opinion. He has clearly been carrying something since the summer, he simply hasn't had the tenacity, pace and intensity to his play that makes him the player he is. Getting this over with now could prove to be the difference towards the end of the season when the big games start piling up.
Cooperer
2
I don't think Simeone trusts Gelson enough to play in a wide role, atleast not yet.
FCBmessi
2
I actually quite like him. His link up play is great, similar to the role Giroud plays for France, letting Griezmann play off him.
happinese
1
A striker with one whole season of consistency in his whole career and even then he got injured at the most important part of the season.
Weoabmnsu
2
I want to rape his daughter
Masacenpsy
5
We want costa to play in atletico madrid
siocdnouy
1
i thought warriors never get hurt
Messi got hurt too
am_fresh
0
i thought warriors never get hurt
your thought was very wrong
Iyantez
1
i thought warriors never get hurt