MADRID, Oct 17 (SW) – It was announced here that two of Atletico Madrid’s key attacking players will be out until April 2007.

Maxi Rodriguez and Martin Petrov have both been under a surgeon’s knife following two separate incidents in which they both tore anterior cruciate ligaments in the knee.

Rodriguez picked up his injury whilst on international duty with Argentina when they lost 1 – 2 to Spain last Wednesday while Bulgarian Petrov damaged his knee in Atletico’s 2 – 1 victory against Recreativo on Saturday.

According to officials both operations appear to be successful.
Currently Atletico Madrid are in third place in Spain’s Primera Division, three points behind leaders Barcelona.