DUSHANBE, 14.03.2017. /NIAT «Khovar»/. Fernando Torres is set to return to action for Atletico Madrid less than two weeks after a clash of heads saw him raced to the hospital.

Torres’ head injury, suffered away to Deportivo la Coruna, was one of the most shocking images of the current season, but after returning to training at the end of last week, the veteran striker is likely to be back in the starting lineup as Atletico play Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League on Wednesday night.

Atletico go into the tie as clear favorites to reach the quarterfinals of the competition following a 4-2 win in the first leg in Germany three weeks ago, and Bayer would need to score three goals to have any chance of eliminating last season’s defeated finalists.

However, that has not stopped the optimism of the German supporters, 1,200 of whom will follow their side to the Vicente Calderon.

Atletico coach Diego Simeone was able to rest players at the weekend and will have Gabi back in his side to shore up the midfield, while the in-form Antoine Griezmann, who on Saturday netted his 13th league goal of the season, will lead the Spanish side’s attack.

Atletico have also been making the headlines for non-sporting reasons with the confirmation that the club has reached an agreement with Madrid City Hall to buy the Wanda Metropolitan Stadium, which will be their new home next season, for a price of 30 million euros (around 34 million US dollars).

The club will also have to spend a substantial amount of money in constructing access infrastructure for the ground, but the move will ensure their financial stability in the coming seasons. Atletico have also asked for the grounds, which are due to be finished for the start of the 2017-18 season, to be the venue for the Champions League final.