Atletico Madrid players set for return to training on Friday - reports

All staff and players will need to take a test for the coronavirus

Diego Costa will look to maintain his impressive for Atletico Madrid when they go up against Juventus on Saturday in a friendly. All photos by EPA

Atletico's players are put through their paces ahead of Saturday's friendly.

Atletico manager Diego Simeone kicks a ball.

Renan Lodi looks to make a pass. EPA

Thomas Lemar on the ball in training. EPA

Atletico's players huddle as they prepare to face the Serie A champions Juventus.

Atletico goalkeeper Jan Oblak makes a catch.

Costa is given a bib by manager Simeone.

Koke looks to make a pass during training.

Joao Felix keeps an eye on the ball during training.

Atletico Madrid players could return to training on Friday as Spain continues to ease its coronavirus lockdown measures, according to Spanish media reports.

Last week, Spain's prime minister, Pedro Sanchez, outlined a four-phase plan to lead the country out of quarantine. Among the plans for the first phase, he said: "Professional sportspeople will be able to train individually from May 4."

In the following phase, which could begin as early as May 11, training in small groups will be allowed.

In light of these developments, a report from Spanish newspaper Marca claims that Atletico players are expected to return to the club's training complex for individual training routines from Friday.

It is understood that the players will be tested for the coronavirus on Wednesday and once the results come back - expected to take 1-2 days - they will then be permitted to train.

Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone will reportedly return with his players on Friday, although Marca claims much of his backroom staff will stay away to keep a limit on personnel at the complex.

All football in Spain has been halted since March and many La Liga clubs have introduced pay cuts and wage deferrals on playing staff and high-earning employees to help ease the financial strain of the suspension.

First-team players at clubs like Barcelona, Espanyol, and Atletico have also taken additional pay cuts to protect the jobs and incomes of their clubs' lower-income staff.

Spain has been one of the countries hardest-hit by the coronavirus, recording more than 247,000 total cases and over 25,000 deaths, while more than 148,000 people have made full recoveries, according to the latest figures.