Barcelona Coach Tito Vilanova Suffers Cancer Relapse, But Doctors 'Optimistic'

Barcelona head coach TITO VILANOVA has suffered a relapse on the cancer in his saliva glands, according to Oscar Zárate of MUNDO DEPORTIVO. A little over a year ago Vilanova had surgery to remove tumors in his glands and after his last checkup on Tuesday, doctors detected another "small tumor." Surgery to remove the tumor is scheduled for Thursday (MUNDO DEPORTIVO, 12/19). SPORT reported that doctors taking care of Vilanova "are optimistic" for the coach and believe he will be able "to spend Christmas at his home." They have also "never doubted the fact that he will be back on the bench" coaching Barcelona (SPORT, 12/19). In Barcelona, Begoña Villarrubia reported Vilanova's assistant coach JORDI ROURA will coach the team during Saturday's La Liga clash against Valladolid (MUNDO DEPORTIVO, 12/19). In London, Simon Rice noted Barcelona suspended its scheduled media activities for the day following Vilanova's healths concerns (INDEPENDENT, 12/19).