Football
Dermot Corrigan, Madrid correspondent 10y

Adriano in clear after heart problem

Barcelona defender Adriano Correia has been cleared to return to full training after it was detected he had an irregular heartbeat.

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It was discovered that Adriano had a heart rhythm issue during a routine medical examination when Barca's players returned for preseason training in July, and the versatile Brazilian was made unavailable for selection while the problem was studied, with initial reports suggesting he could face up to six weeks on the sidelines.

The positive news was confirmed in a statement issued by the club although it remains to be seen whether Adriano will be available for selection for Barca's next game -- against Villarreal on Sunday.

"Luis Enrique now has another player available for Sunday's game against Villarreal. Adriano received the medical all-clear today, after being out since he was diagnosed with a heart murmur on July 16, at the preseason medical check-up," the statement said.

"During all this time, Adriano has been doing specific fitness training, and has gradually been able to do some of the training with his teammates, and now can train normally with the group. The Brazilian received the medical all-clear after training this Wednesday morning."

Barca's statement also said that other sidelined first-teamers Neymar, Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Thomas Vermaelen were still working through their recoveries.

"All available first team players took part in the session, along with Munir, Sandro and Samper from the reserves," it said. "Neymar, ter Stegen and Vermaelen all did some specific recovery work on the pitch."

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