Diego out of Europa League clash with thigh injury

Atletico Madrid's Brazilian midfielder Diego Ribas has been ruled out of Thursday's Europa League clash against Serie A club Lazio after suffering a torn right thigh muscle.

Ribas left the pitch clutching his thigh during Sunday's 1-1 La Liga draw against Sporting Gijon and a subsequent MRI scan confirmed a muscle tear.

"The player is out of the match against Lazio," his club said in a statement Tuesday without given details of how long he will be away from the pitch.

According to sports daily Marca, the playmaker should be absent for a month, meaning he will miss Sunday's La Liga clash with Barcelona.