Falcao targets derby return

Atletico Madrid striker Radamel Falcao says he is working hard to regain full fitness in time for their league clash with capital-city rivals Real Madrid.

The 25-year-old striker suffered a strain to the abductor muscle in his left leg in Colombia’s training session on Wednesday, a problem which ruled him out of the national team’s World Cup qualifiers against Venezuela and Argentina.

Falcao arrived in Madrid from Bogota on Saturday evening, and said he is setting his sights on a return against the Santiago Bernabeu outfit on November 26.

“It is true that we do not have a big margin, but I will do everything possible to be at the Bernabeu,” Falcao said.

“It will all depend on how I feel. That will be an important factor to know whether I will be able to play that match. But I hope that my recovery will go well.”

The former Porto striker, who has so far scored nine goals for Atletico, will sit out the club’s next La Liga match against Levante.

“It is a shame that I got injured in such a crucial moment in the league,” he said.

“It is also troublesome for Atletico. But you have to deal with it.”

“These things happen in football. There have been many players who have had to return from their national teams with injuries.”