Diego Simeone praises Koke

Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone has branded Spanish midfielder Koke "an example to the guys pushing from below".

The 22-year-old made his 100th La Liga appearance in his side's 4-2 win over Rayo Vallecano at the weekend.

Manchester United have been strongly linked with a move for his services in recent months, but Simeone is confident that the midfielder will be the "future" of the Spanish side.

"He is a guy with a huge future. He gives us many solutions in games and is an example to the guys pushing from below [the first team]," Simeone told AS.

Koke is widely expected to be a part of the Spain squad for the 2014 World Cup.