Spanish giants Atletico Madrid have confirmed goalkeeper Jan Oblak has undergone a series of scans for a groin injury which may keep him sidelined for the near future. The Slovenia international missed the first-leg of the Europa League clash with Lokomotiv Moscow last week and Marca suggested that he could miss the weekend league game versus Celta Vigo.
Argentine shot-stopper Axel Werner was brought in to play deputy to Oblak against Celta, but the 25-year-old managed to play out the entire 90 minutes. However, it appears that the club have now taken steps to find the extent of his problem, and Oblak is certain to miss the return leg of the Europa League round of 16 tie. A statement released by the club read: “Our goalkeeper has undergone an MRI to determine the extent of his injury. The medical report offered by the medical services of the club indicates that the Slovenian suffers an injury in the left gluteal muscles and will remain unavailable pending evolution.”
Aside from his groin problem, and the ex-Benfica man is also said to be suffering from a hand injury, and he could potentially need an extended break, which may rule him out for the international friendly week. Slovenia have games against Austria and Belarus scheduled towards the end of the month, and as things stand, Samir Handanovic is the prime candidate to start between the sticks.
Meanwhile, Atleti are more or less through to the quarter-final stage of the Europa League after they picked up a comfortable 3-0 triumph during their home leg against Lokomotiv. The Spanish outfit have been in good-scoring form, barring the 1-0 defeat at the hands of Barcelona, and they will be fancied to win the away leg as well as they seek to prove their dominance over the rivals in the competition.