Sorloth set to return to Atlético training this week after injury layoff

Atlético de Madrid start a new week of training with Alexander Sorloth firmly in the spotlight. The Norwegian striker has not played a single minute so far this season and has not completed a session with his teammates, a situation the club hopes to begin changing over the coming days. His return to the group is getting closer after a recovery that hit an unexpected bump along the way.

• Atlético resume training this Monday without their 15 international players.
• Sorloth has yet to play a minute or train with the squad this season.
• The striker suffered a muscle strain and then a setback during his recovery.
• The plan is for him to rejoin full team training this week.
• His availability for Saturday's game in Vitoria is not yet assured because he missed preseason.

Sorloth's injury and the setback that delayed his return

On August 12, the club announced that the forward had picked up a muscle strain. From that point on, no further medical updates were released, but the recovery did not go as smoothly as expected: Sorloth suffered a setback that pushed back all the initial timelines. Since then he has worked on the sidelines, unable to join Diego Simeone's sessions or feature in any matchday squad.

Individual work before stepping up to full training

In recent days Sorloth has already been out on the grass, training alone with fitness coach Óscar Pitillas. The signs have been encouraging: he has been striking the ball, completing speed drills and building up his endurance. That progress is fueling optimism around the club, and the coaching staff's plan is for him to finally join the rest of the squad in training this week.

The international break leaves Atlético short on numbers

The return to training comes with a long list of absentees. As many as 15 players are still away on international duty, although there have been two developments in recent days. Álex Grimaldo is back after Spain duty carrying some physical discomfort, while Nigeria have released Ademola Lookman for this Tuesday's friendly in Russia. Even so, the attacker will get a few days of rest before rejoining Atlético's routine.

Pablo Barrios, the other positive from the international break

The pause in the club calendar has also helped Atlético regain players. Pablo Barrios is already back after overcoming his physical issues and looks set to be available for the upcoming matches. His return gives Simeone another option in a midfield that has had to be reshaped during the opening weeks of the season.

Will Sorloth be available against Alavés on Saturday?

Making his competitive debut is a different matter. Atlético visit Alavés on Saturday at Mendizorroza, but Sorloth has missed preseason entirely and his fitness level is nowhere near that of his teammates. So even if he trains normally this week, there is no guarantee that Simeone will hand him minutes in Vitoria.

Logic points to a gradual return. With the season only just underway, there is no reason for the club to push the Norwegian. The sensible approach is to ease him in with minutes over the coming fixtures, helping him build match rhythm without taking unnecessary risks. The priority is that this comeback sticks rather than turning into another frustrating stoppage.

What Sorloth's return means for Atlético's attack

The Norwegian was brought in to provide a penalty-box presence, aerial threat and the kind of scoring output that made him one of LaLiga's most productive forwards in previous campaigns. His absence has left Simeone with fewer rotation options up front, especially amid a schedule that has demanded plenty from the squad since the first matchday. Having him available would give the team an extra weapon for the tougher, more physical contests.

The coaching staff are still preaching caution, though. A player with no preseason behind him needs a tailored plan to get up to speed without breaking down. That is why the key milestone is not an immediate start but simply completing full training sessions with the group this week. That is the first real step toward Sorloth competing again.