• La Liga

Vilanova attends Barcelona training

ESPN staff
January 2, 2013
Tito Vilanova made an appearance at Barcelona training on Wednesday © PA Photos
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Barcelona head coach Tito Vilanova made an appearance at the Catalan club's training base less than two weeks after undergoing surgery on a tumour in his throat.

Villanova was forced to temporarily step aside at the Nou Camp after it was confirmed he required a further operation on cancerous tissue near his parotid gland, having previously had saliva glands removed in November 2011.

Vilanov's assistant Jordi Roura has since assumed control of first-team duties in his absence.

The 44-year-old now faces six weeks of chemotherapy and radiation therapy, however, the Barca boss was still well enough to attend a training session on Wednesday.

A statement released on the club's official Twitter feed read: "Tito Vilanova came to the Ciudad Deportiva this morning and greeted the players who trained there.''

The news that Vilanova would be facing a second battle against cancer came on December 22. Barcelona medical staff suggested at the time that the manager could potentially combine his treatment with his first-team duties, should circumstances allow.

Club president Sandro Rosell revealed last week that he was optimistic Vilanova could return to work "within two or three weeks''.

It remains unclear, though, whether Vilanova will be involved in preparing his players for Barca's home game with city rivals Espanyol on Sunday.

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