Abidal trains with Barca as liver transplant looms

France defender Eric Abidal has trained with his Barcelona teammates despite preparing to undergo a liver transplant surgery.

Barcelona said on Thursday that Abidal would need the operation, nearly a year after he underwent surgery to remove a liver tumor.

While the date of Abidal's surgery has not been released, he still trained with his teammates on Sunday, a day after their 2-0 victory at Sevilla in the Spanish league.

Ibrahim Afellay also trained normally for the first time since undergoing surgery on his left knee six months ago. The Dutch midfielder is likely to be available for the rest of the season, with the defending European champions playing AC Milan in the Champions League quarterfinals from next week.

Read more: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/soccer/wires/03/18/2080.ap.soc.barcelona.abidal.0124/index.html#ixzz1pUfn9bLs