Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone has suggested centre-forward Mario Mandzukic will be fit enough to play in Wednesday's Champions League Group A game at home to Olympiakos.
Croatia international Mandzukic has been named in Atletico's squad for the game, despite leaving Saturday's 3-1 La Liga win over Malaga with a neck problem, although other options such as Mexico attacker Raul Jimenez and converted midfielder Raul Garcia are also available to Simeone.
The Colchoneros coach told his pre-game news conference at the Estadio Vicente Calderon that Mandzukic was an important player who was making a big effort to play in the game, so it would be hard to leave him out.
"[Mandzukic] really wants to play, he is very brave, he is bringing us a lot of character, commitment and strength in collective work for the team," Simeone said. "We will see tomorrow if he can play, but it would be very difficult not to put him in."
A win on Wednesday evening will ensure qualification for the last 16 for Atletico, and likely leave them needing just a point in the final group game at Juventus to finish top.
Simeone said he was not thinking yet about possible permutations, but was happy at how his side had bounced back from losing 3-2 in the reverse fixture at Olympiakos on the opening day of this year's group stages.
"I am not thinking so far into the future," he said. "After we lost in Greece, we have been playing with everything on the line in each game. The same tomorrow. We want to play a good game, to play together, with a lot of intensity. That will bring the game to a place we want, and towards the result we want. The group is still all very open."
Olympiakos remain well in the hunt for qualification, currently sitting joint second alongside Serie A champions Juventus. Simeone said he had been impressed with the performances of the team from Piraeus to date.
"They did not surprise us, we know they are a team who can play well and are very strong at home," he said. "They also did well away from home against Malmo and Juventus. They are a very serious team, and are quick on the break. We expect a game along this line."
The Greek champions are managed by boyhood Atletico fan and former Real Madrid and Spain midfield star Michel, and will have from former Colchoneros goalkeeper Roberto Jimenez between the posts at the Calderon. Simeone returned Michel's kind words at his earlier press conference, while deflecting a question over whether Roberto deserved a full Spain call-up.
"I appreciate the words from Michel, and respond in the same way," he said. "He is doing great work in Greece, did very well last year in the Champions League, and this year the same, leaving a very good image through the work of his team. Whether Roberto can play for Spain is a question for [national coach Vicente] Del Bosque."
Simeone was less keen to comment openly on the situation of Atletico's 16 million euro summer signing Alessio Cerci, who complained last week about spending too much time on the bench, and then did not feature at all in the weekend's game against Malaga.
"Cerci is fine, he is training with his teammates to be able to help us in the game tomorrow," was the short answer to a question regarding the Italian international's current mood.