MADRID, Feb 15 — Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone has welcomed back “warrior” Diego Costa after the striker was today cleared to play after more than two months out with a foot injury, giving his stumbling side a huge boost at a crucial stage of the season.

“Costa is a beast, he’s raring to go, he’s ambitious and as everyone knows, he’s a warrior,” Simeone told a news conference.

“We hope he can release what he has inside, we badly need it.”

Costa is set to return to the starting line-up for the first time since December 2 when his side make the short trip to Rayo Vallecano after consecutive losses to Real Betis and Real Madrid threatened to de-rail their La Liga title ambitions.

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Atletico trail leaders Barcelona by seven points and have fallen one point behind Real into third, while they host Juventus and familiar enemy Cristiano Ronaldo next Wednesday in a mouth-watering Champions League last-16 first leg.

Costa’s return presents a tactical conundrum for Simeone, who usually favours a 4-4-2 formation but now has three renowned strikers at his disposal, Costa, talisman Antoine Griezmann and new addition Alvaro Morata.

“There is no question that Morata and Costa are compatible, in a solid, structured team,” said Simeone, who on Thursday signed a new contract with Atletico until 2022.

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If he sees out the deal, he will complete a decade at the club, making him the second longest running manager of a single club in the history of La Liga, only trailing the 14 seasons Miguel Munoz spent with Real Madrid.

“I’m convinced this is the right step, I truly believe in this club and above all in the players, who are the ones who have pushed me to take this decision,” he added. — Reuters