Bhutia likely to return to Portugal on Aug 9

Kolkata: India captain Bhaichung Bhutia has fully recovered from his thyroid-related problems but is

likely to join his teammates in Portugal only on August 9 after the recovery of his son who is ill. Stating that his son Ugen was in hospital, Bhutia, who was to leave for Portugal during the day with Sunil Chettri, told reporters, "I hope that he will be discharged on Sunday. I will leave after that." After recurrence of thyroiditis, the 33-year-old striker had to leave India`s training camp and return home on July 17. "There is a lot of improvement in Bhaichung`s condition. He lost around 4 to 5 kg in Portugal, but now he is normal and has started training. He has regained about 2kgs weight," Bhutia`s personal physician Tirthankar Chowdhury said. "I have prescribed drugs and cut down on iodine and seafood in his diet. We are closely monitoring his condition and will be keeping in touch with him via e-mail," Chowdhury said. Bhutia`s national team mates are now training at Vieria de Leiria, a small town about 200 kms from Portuguese capital of Lisbon as part of their preparation for the Asian Cup to be held in Doha next year. PTI