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Atletico Madrid players return from international duty

Atletico Madrid will look to take advantage of an El Clasico and a full squad in the run up to the winter break

Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images

As a fan of a football team, what do you want from international break? Sure, you want your favourite club players to do well and improve their confidence, score goals, and recover from the mental fatigue that can seep in over the course of a season but reporting back to the club injury-free remains the priority for most fans. Atletico Madrid have survived another international break relatively unscathed and with plenty of confidence to call upon in the coming weeks.

Goals for Atletico defenders

Atletico are struggling in front of goal with neither Jackson Martinez or Fernando Torres scoring as freely as Atletico fans might like. Godin, who started his career as a striker, was on hand to give Uruguay a lead they would not relinquish against Chile last night. Filipe Luis also scored for Brazil in their 3-0 win over Peru.

Injuries and returns

Luciano Vietto will be available to Diego Simeone after the break following an appendicitis operation that has ruled him out for over a month. The Argentine trained on Thursday with members of the Atletico squad not on international duty, including running shooting drills with Fernando Torres.

Juanfran remains a doubt with a muscular injury while Jose Gimenez has a quad tear that he should return from. The Uruguayan trained with the group yesterday and appears ready to partner his compatriot in the centre of Diego Simeone's back four against Real Betis.

Jackson Martinez has an ankle injury that he may recover from in time to play against Betis, but Fernando Torres is ready to step in should the Colombian not make it. Torres has scored 99 goals for Atletico Madrid and has been awaiting his 100th for weeks now. Will the drought end? The chances will surely improve should Martinez not make it back.