Filipe Luis rejoins Atletico training ahead of Brugge clash

Atletico Madrid's Brazilian left-back Filipe Luis on Sunday resumed training with the team to ease his squad's defensive woes ahead of the upcoming UEFA Champions League encounter against Brugge KV.

Filipe Luis rejoined the group workout after being out of action for three matches due to a muscle edema he sustained during Atleti's 2-0 win over Monaco in the Champions League, while Uruguayan central defender Diego Godín strengthened his presence in the training after recovering from a muscle injury, reports Efe.

With Godin and Luis back, Atletico coach Diego Simeone has four first-team defenders available ahead of Tuesday's game, in which the Spanish team will seek a win to wrap up the group stage as Group A winner.

The other fit first team defenders are Colombian right-back Santiago Arias and Uruguayan central defender Jose Maria Gimenez, who played in Atleti's 3-0 win over Alaves on Saturday after replacing Lucas Hernandez, who sprained his right knee.

That was Gimenez's first appearance after recovering from a muscle injury that sidelined him for five matches.

Spanish right-back Juanfran Torres continues to recover from an injury and is expected to resume training on Wednesday, while Montenegrin central defender Stefan Savic will be serving a one-match suspension after being sent off against Monaco.

In addition, Atletico is set to miss forward Diego Costa for at least two months after he underwent a surgery on the fifth metatarsal bone of his left foot in Brazil.

--IANS

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