Kevin Gameiro and Wes Morgan are back in contention for Atletico Madrid and Leicester City ahead of the Champions League quarterfinal second leg on Tuesday.
Leicester City host Atletico Madrid at the King Power Stadium on Tuesday for the second leg of their UEFA Champions League quarterfinal tie. Los Rojiblancos have a one-goal advantage from the first leg and ahead of the encounter on Tuesday, here are the team news for both teams.
For the hosts, Craig Shakespeare does not have any pressing injury concerns on his hands, with none of his first team players absent through fitness issues. Veteran centre-back Robert Huth is the only big player who is unavailable on Tuesday.
The defender is suspended for the second leg after he picked up a booking in the match at the Vicente Calderon last week. However, Shakespeare has been greeted with the good news that Leicester captain Wes Morgan could be available for the return leg on Tuesday.
“I’m pleased with the way he’s progressed.”
Craig Shakespeare to assess @Wes5L1nk‘s fitness on Tuesday: https://t.co/L6FrwlWn84 #LeiAtm pic.twitter.com/eA9u1keZvE
— Leicester City (@LCFC) April 17, 2017
Morgan has missed Leicester’s last six matches due to a nerve problem in the back. But having returned to training three days ago, he is back in contention to play a part in the crunch tie. Morgan faces a late fitness test to determine if he is fit enough to start on Tuesday.
Shakespeare confirmed that Morgan’s fitness will be assessed prior to the match against Atletico on Tuesday to ensure that he’s at a 100%. “The final decision will be made tomorrow (Tuesday),” the Leicester boss said in his pre-match press conference.
“I need to see if there’s any reaction from today (Monday’s training session). With the type of injury he’s had – a nerve problem in his back – we just want to make sure 100 per cent that there’s no reaction. I’m really pleased with the way he’s progressed over the last three days but the final decision will be made tomorrow morning.”
Meanwhile, Yohan Benalouane and Andy King are fit and available, despite coming off with knocks in the match against Crystal Palace on the weekend.
Diego Simeone, too, like Craig Shakespeare has no major injury concerns to deal with, with only two fringe players absent. In fact, the Atletico Madrid boss has been greeted with the positive news of the return to fitness of Kevin Gameiro for the trip to Leicester.
Good news! @KevinGameiro9 and @M_A_Moya have been given the all clear after the session and are available for @Simeone ? #GoAtleti #UCL pic.twitter.com/DtiZXlvleK
— Atlético de Madrid (@atletienglish) April 16, 2017
The French striker had missed Atletico’s last five matches due to a groin injury, but having returned to training earlier this week he is back in contention to start from the onset on Tuesday. Meanwhile, backup goalkeeper Miguel Angel Moya is also back after recovering from a hamstring injury.
Sime Vrsaljko (knee) and Augusto Fernandez (cruciate ligament injury) are the only two absentees from Simeone’s squad, and are unlikely to play much of a part for the remainder of the season for Atletico. Meanwhile, Jose Gimenez, Wilfred Ndidi, Jamie Vardy and Islam Slimani are all one booking away from accruing a one-match ban.
