ROME: Italy may have Antonio Cassano back on duty at the Euro 2012 finals after the Milan forward was given the formal all-clear to return to action after more than five months absent because of  a heart defect.

A medical panel has given Cassano clearance to return to full training with the club’s first-team squad and potential return to league action.

Cassano, 29, has been out of action since suffering stroke-like symptoms on a flight home after Milan’s 3-2 win away to Roma last  October 29. He underwent minor surgery a week later to repair an atrial septal defect in his heart and was ruled out of action indefinitely.

On Monday the former Sampdoria and Real Madrid star was passed fit by a 10-man body representing the Italian Sports Medicine Federation. This was then endorsed by Milan’s Medical Sports Institute and chief medical officer Rodolfo Tavana.

A club statement said: “AC Milan would like to communicate that Antonio Cassano has been given the go-ahead to play by the various legal and medical institutes involved in evaluating his case. Cassano can join the rest of the squad in training immediately and will also be available for selection.”

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