Atletico Madrid have confirmed defender Juanfran has a hamstring injury to further thin Diego Simeone’s first-team squad.
Los Rojiblancos travel to Arsenal on Thursday and are already set to be without striker Diego Costa, who has a thigh muscle injury, leaving them with just 14 fit outfield first-team squad players.
Right-back Juanfran was substituted off during Sunday’s 0-0 draw with Real Betis and he was replaced by Sime Vrsaljko, who now looks set to start in the Europa League semi-final first leg.
“After a scan it was found that our full-back suffered a left hamstring problem, with his return date being subject to how the recovery progresses,” read an Atleti club statement.
The 33-year-old, he began his career at Real Madrid, has amassed over 300 appearances for Los Rojiblancos since a January 2011 move from Osasuna.
The right-back – who has made 25 appearances in all competitions for Atleti this campaign – recently extended his deal at the club to stay until June 2019 at the earliest.
