Diego Simeone backs Jackson Martinez to succeed

Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone has backed latest signing Jackson Martinez to succeed as he begins his time with the club.

The former Porto man is likely to be handed his first start for the club this Saturday when they take on Las Palmas and is being given the task of following in the club's previous strikers' footsteps.

Radamel Falcao, Fernando Torres and Diego Costa all had prolific spells at the club before heading elsewhere, and now Simeone is expecting Martinez to do the same.

"We always ask the new players to come in and compete with their peers and do a good job," the Argentine told reporters.

"As with Falcao, Costa, Mandzukic and Adrian, we have always tried to enhance the quality of our strikers."

Martinez completed his £24.4m switch to Atletico during the summer.