Atletico Madrid face Man Utd injury crisis with captain Koke in major doubt and Luis Suarez set to be DROPED

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ATLETICO MADRID could be without captain Koke for the Champions League round of 16 tie with Manchester United.

Reports in Spain claim the key midfielder picked up the injury in the weekend’s 3-0 win over Osasuna and missed training with his team-mates on Monday.

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Atletico Madrid captain Koke could miss Champions League clash with Man UtdCredit: EPA
Reports in Spain suggest Luis Suarez could be dropped

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Reports in Spain suggest Luis Suarez could be droppedCredit: AFP

Koke, 30, has started all six of Atletico’s group matches in the competition this season.

And the Spanish ace with 61 caps has not missed a Champions League match since November 2018.

Atletico will check Koke’s fitness but if he doesn’t recover it would be a blow for Diego Simeone’s side.

And the Argentine boss could face a selection crisis ahead of Wednesday’s first leg at the Wanda Metropolitano with Matheus Cunha and Daniel Wass also ruled out.

Thomas Lemar and Benjamin Lecomte are also doubtful after missing training this weekend.

While Yannick Carrasco and Felipe are both suspended.

Reigning La Liga champions Atletico are having a nightmarish season, languishing fifth in the table – 15 points behind city rivals Real Madrid – and are already absent from the Copa Del Rey.

And Spanish outlet AS reported on Monday morning that Simeone was set to drop from his usual 4-4-2 line-up for a must-win clash against United.

They say Atletico have lined up with five at the back in training, with Angel Correa and Joao Felix in attack.

That would leave no room for Liverpool icon Luis Suarez against his old rivals.

Antoine Griezmann was also out, having recently returned from a thigh injury.

Paul Pogba is set to retain his place in Man Utd’s midfield, after playing for an hour in the 4-2 at Leeds at the weekend.

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