Atlético: Diego Costa foot surgery successful, LaLiga club confirm
Atlético Madrid have not confirmed how long Costa will be out for, but the striker's foot surgery has been hailed as a success.
Diego Costa's foot surgery has been a success, Atlético Madrid have confirmed.
Costa has been playing with pain throughout the 2018-19 campaign, caused by a pin in the fifth metatarsal on his left foot, and travelled to Brazil for surgery this week.
The Spain striker has scored a single goal in LaLiga this season, against Barcelona last month, and has been linked with a move away from Atlético despite only returning to the club in January.
Costa could be out for two months
Atlético have not confirmed how long they will be without Costa for, but reports in Spain have suggested he could miss two months of action.
"The intervention consisted in the removal of the osteosynthesis material of the V metatarsal that our player underwent 12 years ago and in repairing the short peroneal tendon," Atlético's statement said.
Absence hands chance to fellow striker Kalinic
Costa's injury may provide an opportunity for Nikola Kalinic to shine, the striker having started only two LaLiga matches since signing from AC Milan in August.