Russ returns for Eintracht Frankfurt less than a year after cancer diagnosis

Marco Russ has made a welcome return to action for Eintract Frankfurt in a DFB Pokal clash with Arminia Bielefeld.

The 31-year-old defender was diagnosed with testicular cancer in May 2016.

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He failed a drugs test after a match against SV Dramstadt, with elevated levels of the hormone nCG shown to be in his system.

That was seen as an indicator of either the use of anabolic steroids or a cancerous disease.

Further examinations were immediately arranged, allowing Russ to undergo surgery.

In August 2016, he was back on the touchline for Frankfurt’s meeting with Celta Vigo.

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He was always setting his sights on a return to training during the winter break, allowing him to slowly build his fitness.

Russ has now made his comeback in a competitive fixture, as he stepped off the bench in a German Cup fixture on Tuesday.

He made an emotional introduction in stoppage-time and helped to see out a 1-0 win in the quarter-final encounter.