Diego Costa has been included in Atletico Madrid’s squad to face Arsenal on Thursday.
The Gunners’ arch-villain had been expected to miss the first leg of the Europa League semi-final after picking up a hamstring injury in the last round against Sporting.
But streetfighter Costa – a thorn in Arsenal’s side during his three seasons at Chelsea – could yet prove their undoing in their bid to win a final trophy for Arsene Wenger.
Costa has missed Atletico’s last three matches. Boss Diego Simeone had all but ruled him out on this week’s tie.
Speaking last Saturday Simeone said: “The doctors will inform us but I think it won’t be possible for him to be ready for Thursday’s game.
“He will be [available] for sure in the return leg, but I think he has no chance to be [fit] for the first leg game.”