Just two weeks ahead of their Champions League last 16 clash with Liverpool, Atletico Madrid's injury crisis has deepened with Kieran Trippier ruled out of action for up to a month.
The English defender had missed three league games with a groin strain, which did not heal while he was resting, forcing him to undergo surgery to repair the damage.
"Our right-back had been feeling pain and initially followed a conservative treatment," said Atletico in a statement.
"As the discomfort did not fully disappear, the club's medical services decided to perform surgery on the player."
Trippier joins a lengthy injury list at Atletico, including star frontman Alvaro Morata who picked up a muscle injury in his right leg against Real Madrid on Saturday.
Atletico's attacking options had already been severely limited with Joao Felix and Diego Costa both missing the game against Real Madrid, although the club are hopeful that Costa could return for the first leg against Liverpool.
Koke, Jose Gimenez and Santiago Arias are also on the treatment table.
