Madrid, Spanish forward Diego Costa on Saturday sprained his left ankle in Atletico Madrid’s final training session before their La Liga clash with Girona.
Costa is still expected to be named in the coming hours to coach Diego Simeone’s squad, and could start in Sunday’s match if his ankle discomfort remains a minor issue, reports Efe news.
Simeone appeared to be planning to use midfielder Saul Ñiguez as a left back, replacing Filipe Luis, who is sidelined due to muscle edema.
Aside from Costa’s likely return and changing Ñiguez’s position, Simeone is expected to repeat the starting lineup from Wednesday’s 2-0 win against Monaco in the UEFA Champions League group stage.
The other players from the starting lineup against Monaco were Jan Oblak, Santiago Arias, Stefan Savic, Lucas Hernandez, Koke Resurreccion, Thomas Partey, Rodrigo Hernandez, Thomas Lemar and Antoine Griezmann.
Simeone has 16 first team players available, including Costa, and he will likely call up at least two reserve team players for Sunday’s game.
Also on the sideline were defenders Diego Godin, Jose Maria Gimenez and Juanfran Torres, in addition to Luis, all four of whom were absent from Saturday’s training.
