Vilanova to return to Barca bench

Vilanova to return to Barca bench

Published Jan. 5, 2013 12:00 a.m. ET

Barcelona coach Tito Vilanova is set to be back in the dugout for the first time since undergoing cancer surgery.

The 44-year-old received treatment for a second time on a tumor on a saliva gland on December 20, missing just one match, the away win over Valladolid.

And ahead of the Liga derby match with Espanyol on Sunday, assistant coach Jordi Roura said: "In principle, Vilanova will be on the bench.

"Tito has still to undergo treatment, but he is well, he is full of courage and strength and that is what is important."

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Vilanova, who had undergone the previous operation in 2011, had guided the Spanish giants to their best start to a league campaign with 15 wins from 16 games prior to his cancer scare.

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