Abidal released from hospital

Eric Abidal has reportedly been released from hospital after undergoing medical examinations following a liver transplant in April 2012.

The Barcelona defender was diagnosed with a tumour on his liver back in March 2011, which required major surgery, but the operation did not resolve the problem completely.

One year later his club announced that the 33-year-old would have to undergo yet more surgery to replace his liver, and a month later he underwent a successful procedure.

Abidal is now expected to join his team in training next week after coming through a series of tests that began last Wednesday.

The France international’s last competitive appearance came back in February 2012, when Barcelona defeated Atletico Madrid 2-1.