Mandzukic: Atletico Madrid forward Mario Mandzukic could make his return from a fractured nose in around 10 days but will have to wear a protective mask. The Croatia international suffered the injury in Tuesday’s 3-2 Champions League defeat at Olympiakos and was operated on successfully in Madrid on Thursday.

Assou-Ekotto: Tottenham Hotspur defender Benoit Assou-Ekotto was handed a three-match ban and fined £50,000 yesterday for comments on Twitter relating to a ‘quenelle’ gesture performed by French striker Nicolas Anelka last year. The Football Association said the Cameroon international, who remains on Tottenham’s books but is out of favour, had been warned about his future conduct and would have to complete a compulsory education course.

Costa: Diego Costa will return up front for Chelsea against champions Manchester City tomorrow as Jose Mourinho tries to manage the striker’s fragile hamstrings. Mourinho opted to select Costa only as a substitute in Wednesday’s 1-1 draw with Schalke in Champions League Group G. “Diego is not in the best conditions, but he will start the game,” Mourinho said.

Pepe: Real Madrid centre-back Pepe will miss today’s La Liga match at Deportivo La Coruna due to a muscle problem, though right-back Dani Carvajal is fit again after a thigh injury, coach Carlo Ancelotti said yesterday. “I have very good options because Carvajal is available,” Ancelotti said. “The player we won’t have is Pepe, who is suffering from muscle fatigue.”

Scottish Premier: Partick vs St Mirren 1-2.

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