Defender Yeray Alvarez is back available for selection for Athletic Bilbao, less than a month after being diagnosed with testicular cancer.
The 21-year-old needed an operation late in December to remove the tumour but this was a success and the Athletic Club youth product has had an uncomplicated and speedy recovery.
“I am very happy, it seems that everything has gone well," he is quoted as saying by Athletic.
"I have had a lot of support and I appreciate it all – at the moment I feel good."
A statement from the Basque club read: “given the good evolution of the defender’s condition and with no complications of the surgical wound, he has begun to train normally with the rest of his teammates and is available to the coaching staff."
It is yet unclear if he will be involved in the match day squad for Athletic as they host Atletico Madrid this weekend, but the club appear confident he will be incorporated back into the squad over the coming weeks.
Alvarez made his first-team debut for Athletic in September and has now made a total of 17 appearances, with his performances so impressive he has already been linked with a future move to Barcelona.
