No talks on new signing to replace injured Diego Costa: Atletico coach

Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone on Friday said he had not addressed a potential replacement for Spanish forward Diego Costa, adding that he would work with the players he has on hand to continue the team's campaign this year.

Brazilian-born Costa underwent a successful surgery on the fifth metatarsal bone of his left foot in Brazil and is expected to be sidelined for at least two months, a long spell that prompted talk of a potential signing during the winter transfer window, reports Efe news.

"We have not discussed (with the club on signings in the winter transfer window). And as always we will try starting from our upcoming match to find the best solutions," Simeone said during a press conference on the eve of his side's La Liga clash with Alaves.

The Argentine head coach explained that any number of Los Rojiblancos' players, from Nikola Kalinc, Angel Correa to Gelson Martins could fill in for the injured Costa.

"Hopefully Kalinic can have consistency, Correa can be precise when he plays as forward as he did against Monaco and when it is Gelson's turn, he can repeat a little bit of what he did against Sant Andreu," said Simeone.

The coach declined to comment on reports that claimed that Celta Vigo's Uruguayan forward Maxi Gomez is on Atletico's radar for a possible trade.

--IANS

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