Barcelona's Ibrahim Afellay cleared to play after 2nd surgery

Barcelona: Barcelona team doctors have cleared midfielder Ibrahim Afellay to play after a six-month layoff following his second major leg surgery.

Afellay's last game for Barcelona was in May 2012, after which he was loaned to Schalke for the 2012-13 season.

He then had a series of injuries leading to surgery last August.

Afellay had previously torn a ligament in his left knee in September 2011, with surgery then keeping him sidelined until April 2012.

The 27-year-old Afellay joined Barcelona in January 2011 and has made 33 appearances for the Spanish champions since.