Le Normand set for Atletico Madrid return after brain injury
Robin Le Normand has not played since suffering a brain injury versus Real Madrid in September, but he could return to the pitch this week.
Atletico Madrid defender Robin Le Normand will be available for Thursday's Copa del Rey tie at CP Cacereno after recovering from a brain injury, Diego Simeone has revealed.
Le Normand suffered a traumatic brain injury in a collision with Real Madrid midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni during a 1-1 derby draw in September, requiring lengthy treatment on the pitch.
The 28-year-old has so far made eight appearances for Atletico since joining from Real Sociedad in the close season, after winning Euro 2024 with Spain.
Los Colchoneros insisted they would be patient with Le Normand's recovery, and having spent over two months on the sidelines, he is now set for a return to action.
"First of all, we were thinking about the health of the player. That's what the club, doctors, and physios focused on as a first step," Simeone told reporters on Wednesday.
"Then comes the player, who started to get in shape and is now ready to start competing from tomorrow. Seeing the enthusiasm that he transmits, he is very happy and eager to help the team."
Atletico are on a seven-match winning streak ahead of Thursday's second-round game, but Simeone is not getting ahead of himself as they look to maintain their fine form.
"We have things to improve, the team grows from a block and I always call that block a team, neither offensive nor defensive," Simeone said.
"From there, we need that consistency, which is the most difficult thing to maintain during the season."
Simeone could shuffle his pack for the game, and though he is excited to see some of his fringe players, he has warned them to expect a difficult challenge.
"We have the motto, 'wearing the Atletico shirt in every game is a great opportunity'. Many would like to be in our place and we need to have this embedded within," Simeone said.
"From there we will make a team to try to hurt a Cacereno team that does very well at home and that will compete as it did against (Real) Madrid (in a 1-0 Copa del Rey loss last January)."