Mario Mandzukic Injury: Updates on Atletico Madrid Star's Nose and Return

Updates from Friday, Sept. 26

Mario Mandzukic looks ready for first-team action ahead of Atletico Madrid's La Liga clash with Sevilla.

The powerful striker was snapped in action in training on Friday by AS:

Updates from Wednesday, Sept. 24

Mario Mandzukic has confirmed he is ready to return to action for Atletico Madrid ahead of their trip to Almeria.

Mandzukic tweeted:

"

I'm back!!!  pic.twitter.com/tChyhYVbND

— Mario Mandzukic (@MarioMandzukic9) September 24, 2014"

Updates from Friday, Sept. 19

Mario Mandzukic is now out of hospital following the broken nose he suffered during Atletico Madrid's loss to Olympiakos.

Inside Spanish Football tweeted:

Updates from Thursday, Sept. 18

Mario Mandzukic has delivered a positive update on his recovery after suffering a broken nose.

The Atletico Madrid striker tweeted:

"

Thank you all for your support,on Monday I'll join to my team at training!I feel great! pic.twitter.com/vqhBBpw4O4

— Mario Mandzukic (@MarioMandzukic9) September 18, 2014"

Marca also updated Mandzukic's status:

"

Atlético de Madrid striker Mario Mandzukic underwent successful surgery on his nose on Thursday morning after fracturing bones and cartilage in Tuesday night's clash against Olympiacos. The Croat was operated on by doctors Pedro Llopis, Javier López Atalaya and José María Abad at the FREMAP Clinic in Majadahonda, on the outskirts of Madrid.

"The player will wear nasal packing for 48 hours and will remain in hospital until Friday 19th September", the club revealed in a statement. The marksman is expected to be sidelined for two weeks.

"

Original Text

Atletico Madrid striker Mario Mandzukic is set to have surgery on Thursday after he broke his nose during the Spanish side's 3-2 Champions League loss to Olympiakos on Tuesday.   

He picked up the injury when he was elbowed in the face by Pajtim Kasami, although he managed to play the full 90 minutes anyway and also bagged a goal for the club he joined from Bayern Munich in the summer.

However, Atletico's website (h/t Sky Sports) released a statement on Wednesday confirming the full extent of the Croatian's injury:

"Tests on Wednesday show Croatian Mario Mandzukic suffered a broken nose. He will undergo surgery on Thursday 18, at 9pm in the FREMAP Majadahonda clinic."

Spanish newspaper AS reports that the 28-year-old will be out for two weeks and will likely have to wear a mask on his return to competitive action:

Thus Mandzukic will miss this weekend's La Liga clash against Celta Vigo, as well as next week's match with Almeria, and could even be out for the visit of Sevilla on Sept. 27.

This is something of a blow for Atleti—who currently sit fourth in the Spanish top flight—as Mandzukic has been in fine early-season form, scoring twice in his last three club matches.

Manager Diego Simeone—who brought in Mandzukic to replace Diego Costa at the club—will have to rethink his approach in the absence of his main striker ahead of a set of key league fixtures as Atletico continue their campaign to retain the title.