Barcelona defender Eric Abidal has made a successful playing return.

Abidal on Tuesday played his first match since being cleared to resume his career following liver surgery after featuring for Barcelona's reserve side in a friendly.

The 33-year-old played 65 minutes of the game against French second division side Istres at Barca's training ground.

Abidal has not played for Barca's senior side in over a year after undergoing a liver transplant last April, having previously had surgery to remove a tumour in March 2011.