Barcelona: Eric Abidal ready to play after liver transplant

Eric Abidal hasn't played this season but was allowed to start training again in December.

Manu Fernandez/AP

Barcelona says Eric Abidal is fit to play for the first time since receiving a liver transplant last April.

The 33-year-old France defender's last appearance for Barcelona was in February 2012.

Abidal has had two long-term layoffs because of his liver. He underwent surgery to remove a liver tumor in March 2011 and returned to the team before the end of the season. The France international had to stop playing a second time last spring when doctors determined he needed a transplant.

He's been training with the team since December.