Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone has confirmed that Fernando Torres will start this evening's clash against Real Madrid, having made a return to his boyhood team.
The 30-year-old completed a switch to the Spanish capital on loan from AC Milan until the end of next season earlier this week, although a lack of game time this campaign, in which he has made just 10 appearances in Serie A, was likely to see him sit out the Copa del Rey last-16 first leg.
However, Simeone is confident that Torres has shown enough in training to warrant a start in the big derby meeting.
"Fernando Torres has been training and playing for Milan," the Rojiblancos boss told reporters. "He played, if I am not mistaken, 10 matches there.
"He has been training with us for a few days, so tomorrow he is going to start in the team, I hope he has a great match and helps us find what we need to move forward."
Torres scored 91 goals in his first spell at Atletico before leaving for Liverpool in 2007.
Daniel Lewis
