Football
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Yeray Alvarez given 'all-clear' following cancer, in line for Athletic Bilbao return

Athletic Bilbao defender Yeray Alvarez has been given the "all-clear" by his club to return to action five months after receiving chemotherapy treatment for testicular cancer.

The 22-year-old, who had a testicular tumour detected and removed in December 2016 before returning to play in February, left Spain's under-21 squad in June after a medical check-up revealed that the cancer had returned.

Yeray has been training with the Athletic team for a month and could feature in Wednesday's Copa del Rey round-of-32 return leg at home to Formentera.

An Athletic statement read: "Having received the all-clear medically, he is fully available to train with the rest of the group in the activities the technical staff considers appropriate."

Yeray had been expected to play for Spain at this year's European Under-21 Championship but his medical condition prevented him from doing so. He started 25 times in La Liga last season while also making eight Europa League appearances.

Meanwhile, Athletic goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga is likely to miss Wednesday's game with a sprained ankle suffered in Sunday's 2-2 draw at Deportivo La Coruna, the Basque club announced.

However, the 23-year-old is expected to recover in time for Saturday's home game against Real Madrid, a club that are reportedly interested in acquiring his services next summer when he becomes a free agent.

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