Atletico Madrid coach Simeone says Suarez return close

The Uruguayan tested positive while on international duty earlier this month and has yet to resume training with Atleti. However, Simeone believed a return to action was imminent.

“He feels good, he really wants to be back with the boys,” Simeone told a news conference on Monday.

Suarez returned a positive test on Sunday and will undertake another on Tuesday ahead of the game.

“The most important thing is that he returns a negative test. He’ll play on Saturday,” the Argentine coach added.

“This virus is strange. If he comes back negative, he could play for us. He just wants to help the side.”

Suarez’s absence was evident last time out as Atleti struggled to break down a resolute Lokomotiv Moscow side and his strike partner Diego Costa is also missing with deep vein thrombosis.