Atleti keeper Oblak set for shoulder surgery

Atletico Madrid have confirmed that goalkeeper Jan Oblak will require surgery on the shoulder injury he sustained in the 3-0 defeat to Villarreal.

The Slovenia international was forced off shortly before half-time of Monday’s LaLiga clash at El Madrigal after he was hurt attempting to claim a cross that allowed Jonathan dos Santos to score the home side’s second goal.

Atletico announced on Tuesday that Oblak had suffered a dislocation and would require an operation to repair the damage.

Although they did not specify a recovery time, initial reports in Spain have suggested he could be sidelined for up to four months.

“Jan Oblak has undergone radiological and magnetic resonance tests that have confirmed that he has suffered ‘an injury to the soft parts of his left shoulder (a Bankart lesion) as a result of the dislocation’ that occurred at El Madrigal,” a club statement read.

“He will have to undergo surgery in the next few days.”

The news is a major blow to Diego Simeone, whose side have endured a slump in form that has left their trophy hopes in doubt.

Atleti have won only one of their last five league games – a run that has seen them slip 12 points behind leaders Real Madrid – while their 100 per cent record in the Champions League was ended by a 1-0 defeat to Bayern Munich last week.