Simeone: I need all 19 players ready

Ahead of Sunday's meeting with Deportivo La Coruna, Diego Simeoneconfirmed he needs all 19 players in his squad to be ready.

With Saul Niguez having been left out of the squad and Koke expected to remain on the bench ahead of the mid-week meeting with Bayern Munich, there remain question marks over who will play in the wide midfield positions.

Nico Gaitan and Yannick Carrasco are seen as the favourites however the Argentine coach kept his cards close to his chest.

"It's not yet decided because I need the 19 players ready to play and then I will pick from them tomorrow," he explained to reporters.

Filipe Luis made quite clear the foot injury he suffered at the hands of Luis Suarez on Wednesday yet any question marks over his fitness were put to rest early by the Argentine.

"He is okay, and available, nothing to worry about."

The 1-1 draw with Barcelona at the Camp Nou was a fantastic result on paper but the 46-year-old was keen to move on and focus on upcoming fixtures.

"I do not know if Barcelona was a great result, but it was good.

"We return tomorrow with other players but with the same attitude as Deportivo are coming to cause us problems."

Fixture congestion is a problem for most elite clubs in the modern game and Los Rojiblancos will feel the force of that ahead of the visit of the German champions much to Simeone's chagrin.

"We play on Sunday at 20:45, it's crazy, but as a coach there is nothing I can do."