Ethermac|Mike McCarthy returns from appendectomy, plans to coach Cowboys vs. Eagles

Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy returned to the team's facility Friday,Ethermac less than 48 hours after undergoing surgery for acute appendicitis.

McCarthy, 60, toldlocalreporters Friday afternoon that he is "feeling great" in the wake of the surgery and has been cleared by doctors to get back to work. He said he is not only planning to coach the Cowboys in a pivotal game against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday night but to do so from his usual spot on the sidelines.

"I anticipate everything staying normal come Sunday night," McCarthy toldreporters.

McCarthy believed he was suffering from a stomach virus when he started experiencing abdominal pain earlier this week. He said he saw a doctor after the pain intensified Wednesday and underwent an appendectomy later that day.

The Cowboys' three coordinators ran practice and oversaw game prep in McCarthy's absence.

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"Once I was released from the hospital, I’ve been totally engaged in the game plan," McCarthy toldreporters.

McCarthy's return is important news for the Cowboys, who currently sit one game back of the Eagles in both the NFC East and the race for the top seed in the conference. The Eagles slipped by Dallas 28-23 in the first meeting of the season between the two teams last month.