Costa looks for ‘miracle worker’ cure

Atletico Madrid striker Diego Costa has reportedly travelled to Serbia to visit a "medical miracle worker" specialising in horse placenta treatments as he battles to be fit for the Champions League final against Real Madrid.

Costa is a major doubt for Saturday’s game in Lisbon after suffering a grade one hamstring tear — which would typically lead to a fortnight on the sidelines — during the weekend’s 1-1 draw at Barcelona. However, Atletico boss Diego Simeone said it was “too soon” to rule the Spain star out, and AS and Marca report Costa headed to Belgrade to visit Marijana Kovacevic in a bid to expedite his recovery.

Kovacevic, who is said to use electric shocks as well as an ointment made of horse placenta, previously treated Robin van Persie as well as working with the Ghanaian team, and received backing from Rafa Benitez.