Atletico boosted by Tiago return
After a lengthy spell on the sidelines, Tiago has received the go ahead to return to first-team action with Atletico Madrid.
Atletico Madrid received a timely fitness boost as Tiago was given the green light to return to action after more than five months on the sidelines with a fractured tibia.
The Portugal midfielder underwent surgery in November after sustaining the injury in a 1-0 win over Espanyol.
However, Tiago has made promising progress in his recovery and is available for head coach Diego Simeone ahead of a crucial run-in.
An Atletico statement read: "The Portuguese midfielder Tiago Mendes has been medically discharged after more than five months away from the playing fields.
"Our 'number five' suffered a displaced fracture in his right tibia on November 28 during the league encounter between our team and Espanyol at the Vicente Calderon.
"After a lot of hard work of recovery to overcome his injury, Tiago, who had already joined the group in training, is finally fit to compete and Diego Pablo Simeone can count on him for the matches the team is facing."
Atletico are level on points with La Liga leaders Barcelona with two matches remaining against Levante and Celta Vigo.
Get FourFourTwo Newsletter
The best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.
The capital club will also meet rivals Real Madrid in the Champions League final on May 28 in a repeat of the 2014 showpiece.
‘Managing Leeds? It was an option that appeared, but it wasn’t the right timing. I decided it wasn’t a good idea to leave the club I was at mid-season’: Premier League boss admits to turning down opportunity to replace Jesse Marsch in 2023
‘Ruben Amorim could have waited for Real Madrid and had a better chance to be successful – to have joined Manchester United, he must be convinced in his own ability’ Former Old Trafford coach’s verdict on new boss