Athletic Bilbao's Iker Muniain ends injury nightmare

Madrid - Athletic Bilbao winger Iker Muniain has been cleared for a return to action after six months out with cruciate ligament damage in his left knee.

"The player has been given the all-clear due to the progress in his rehabilitation and his physical condition has allowed him to return to normal activity with the rest of the squad," the club said in a statement on Monday.

Muniain missed the Copa del Rey final against Barcelona in May and the Spanish Super Cup as Athletic gained revenge over the European champions with a 5-1 aggregate win in August.

However, he didn't miss out on the celebrations as Athletic won their first trophy for 31 years as he got a tattoo of the Super Cup on his right calf.

Athletic sit 14th in La Liga after just two wins from their opening eight games.