Igor Tudor says he's delighted to have Cristian Romero back available after the Tottenham captain missed the last four games through suspension - with the defender putting in the hours in training to make sure he's ready.

The Spurs skipper was sent off in the 2-0 defeat by Manchester United last month and was slapped with a four-game ban.

It has seen him miss a chaotic period for Spurs, with the north Londoners sacking Thomas Frank and seeing interim head coach Tudor lose his first three games in charge - against Arsenal, Fulham and Crystal Palace in the Premier League.

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They now turn their attention to the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie with Atletico Madrid on Tuesday night.

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And Tudor has heaped praise on Romero, who is expected to start for the struggling Premier League side.

He said: "He missed a lot. He was also not feeling good to be in the circumstances not to help the team. He has been doing a lot.

"He has been working with the fitness coach and doing a lot of running to be in a top condition. Now he can show tomorrow that he is a leader like always."

Team-mate Pedro Porro added: "He makes all the difference and we missed him a lot because he can give a lot to the team. We were missing him. We are delighted to have him back."

Meanwhile, Diego Simeone has rejected suggestions Atletico Madrid are favourites for their Champions League last-16 tie with struggling Tottenham.

Spurs are embroiled in a battle to stay in the Premier League after a winless start to 2026 domestically and interim head coach Igor Tudor has started his reign with three defeats.

A lengthy injury list has affected Tottenham’s cause and they will still be without eight players for Tuesday’s first leg at Riyadh Air Metropolitano, but Simeone has insisted Atletico, who are third in LaLiga, will not underestimate the English club.

“I don’t know what it’s related to,” Simeone told a press conference, via AS.

“If you relate it to them finishing fourth in the Champions League (league phase), then we’re not favourites. If you relate it to their (Premier League) position? It depends on how you want to relate it.

“Just like every other match. When you step onto the pitch, you don’t remember where you are in the standings or what stage you’re at.

“The players want to win, to play well. I don’t know any of them who thinks about their league position when they’re about to take a shot.

“We don’t know how the match will start, but we know their strengths and weaknesses. I know the coach, he’s always played his teams with an attacking mindset, regardless of the formation.”

This tie sees Spurs midfielder Conor Gallagher to return to Atletico two months after his departure.

Simeone added: “A young man who worked with us with great humility.

“He can play in different positions because of his collective work rate, which benefits the team. He behaved very well and we have very fond memories of his time at Atletico.”

Tottenham captain Cristian Romero was tracked by Atletico last summer, but Simeone was not asked about the Argentine defender.