AC Milan striker Antonio Cassano was thrilled with his playing return on Wednesday. Cassano featured in a friendly after getting a medical board all-clear to resume playing following a minor heart operation.

"I was afraid of dying and then past that, I thought about giving up football," he told Studio Sport.

After being the green light to play again, Cassano, who has been training since January, took part in a friendly against the Rossoneri's youth team yesterday.

"Now I am ready to return, perhaps as early as Saturday against Fiorentina."