Huntelaar plays down Robben rift

(GETTY IMAGES)

Real Madrid striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar has played down reports suggesting he has fallen out with team-mate Arjen Robben.

The Dutch forward netted twice in the 3-0 win over Almeria on Sunday just a week after he was reportedly involved in a row with Robben during the 5-2 victory at Athletic Bilbao.

“There is no problem between us,” Huntelaar insisted.

”Sometimes, there are things that happen on the field, but they are only misunderstandings and that is how they will stay. We have already talked about it long ago.

“I am happy to have scored again but the most important thing is that we won. Real Madrid have a lot of quality in the team and anyone can score.

“Marcelo also got on the scoresheet but, in the next game, it can be someone else. That’s the quality of this team.”

Meanwhile, Atletico Madrid defender John Heitinga is recovering in hospital after suffering a nasty head injury during the 2-0 defeat at Real Mallorca.

The 25-year-old Dutchman sustained the injury after a clash of heads with Mallorca’s David Navarro as they tried to meet Simao’s free-kick.

The impact of the collision left Heitinga laying motionless on the pitch. He was eventually stretchered away semi-conscious and rushed to hospital.

He has since regained full consciousness but had to stay in hospital overnight for observation.

It is the second head injury Atletico have had to cope with recently as Luis Amaranto Perea suffered a similar injury against Sevilla a month ago.