By MICHAEL RUBINKAM
Associated Press Writer

PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- The doctor who removed a hardened blood clot from Eric Lindros' chest
Friday predicted that the Philadelphia Flyers' captain would make a complete recovery.

Lindros underwent the 90-minute procedure after a setback in his recovery from a collapsed lung.

``We found exactly what we thought we would find,'' said Dr. Larry Kaiser, a chest surgeon who
performed the surgery. ``We were able to totally remove it and his lung is now completely re-expanded. I
think he'll find his breathing is significantly better, easier.''

Kaiser removed a clot that was pressing against the lower lobe of Lindros' right lung, keeping it from fully
expanding. The fluid in the lung was not infected.

The procedure, called video thoroscopy, was minor, and Lindros was expected to be hospitalized 4-5
days at the University of Pennsylvania.

After that, ``it's basically R and R,'' Kaiser said. ``I don't foresee any other procedures.''

The star center flew to Philadelphia from a hospital in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday expecting to come to the arena and meet with
teammates before their game against Pittsburgh. Those plans were canceled after Lindros ran a fever above 102 degrees and
doctors discovered the fluid buildup in his chest cavity.

Doctors inserted a tube and a microscopic camera through two small incisions in Lindros' chest. The fluid and clotted blood was
in the area between the lung and the diaphragm.

The procedure will ``allow him to recover without any long-term effects at all,'' Kaiser said.

Doctors don't know what caused about six pints of blood to seep into Lindros' chest after a 2-1 victory over the Nashville
Predators April 1. Kaiser said the blood likely seeped from his lung, adding that he found no evidence that a blood vessel had
ruptured.

Lindros' setback dashed hopes that he would be ready for the playoffs. But his teammates aren't thinking about that right now.

``That's not our main concern, getting Eric back is,'' said Lindros' linemate, John LeClair. ``Our main concern is getting Eric
healthy.''