Atletico Madrid midfielder Arda Turan is a doubt for Saturday’s La Liga game against Villarreal at the Estadio Vicente Calderon with a groin problem.
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Turkey international Arda was substituted late in Atletico’s 1-1 Champions League quarterfinal first-leg draw at Barcelona on Tuesday, and underwent tests back in the Spanish capital on Wednesday.
A subsequent club statement stated that an injury had been picked up, but did not give any suggested recovery time.
“Arda Turan finished the game at the Camp Nou with discomfort, and a groin issue has been detected which will require a treatment of physiotherapy and recuperation,” the statement said. “His availability will depend on how it evolves.”
Atletico coach Diego Simeone is already likely to be without top scorer Diego Costa for the clash with seventh-placed Villarreal, with the Brazil-born Spain international having also left the field early on Tuesday after picking up a thigh injury. Atletico go into the game as La Liga leaders, one point ahead of second-placed Barcelona, and three ahead of Real Madrid who are third.
Both Costa and Arda now face a race against time to be fit for the return Champions League game with Barca at the Calderon next Wednesday.