Soccer-Masked Mandzukic to make Atletico return in 10 days

MADRID, Sept 19 (Reuters) - Atletico Madrid forward Mario Mandzukic could make his return from a fractured nose in around 10 days but will have to wear a protective mask, the La Liga champions said on Friday. The Croatia international suffered the injury in Tuesday's 3-2 Champions League defeat at Olympiakos Piraeus and was operated on successfully in Madrid on Thursday, Atletico said on their website (www.clubatleticodemadrid.com). "He is planning to start training on Sunday or Monday," Atletico doctor Pedro Luis Llopis was quoted as saying in local media. "Normally he would be available to play in 15 days but with a mask he could do so in 10," Llopis added. "He will have a personalised mask, the smallest and most comfortable possible, although it's always difficult to play under those conditions." Mandzukic, who joined Atletico from Bayern Munich in the close season, will miss Saturday's La Liga game at home to Celta Vigo as well as Wednesday's trip to Almeria but should be back for the Champions League Group A match at home to Italian champions Juventus on Oct. 1. (Reporting by Iain Rogers, editing by Toby Davis)