Vilanova set for Barcelona return

SaturdayLevante vs Athletic 17:00Granada vs Valencia 19:009Deportivo vs Malaga 21:00Sevilla vs Osasuna 23:00SundayCelta Vigo vs Valladolid 13:00Real Madrid vs R Sociedad 18:00 Barcelona vs Espanyol 20:00 Mallorca vs Atletico 22:00 MondayRayo vs Getafe 21:00MADRID - Barcelona expect to have coach Tito Vilanova back at the helm following cancer surgery as they return to league action after the winter break with a local derby against Espanyol.Although news that Vilanova had a recurrence of a tumour on a saliva gland sent shockwaves around the Catalan club, the impact has been limited by the stoppage over Christmas.After a successful operation he has missed just one game, an away victory against Valladolid where his assistant Jordi Roura took charge and Barcelona extended their record start to the campaign to 16 wins from 17 games in La Liga.Vilanova returned to the training ground this week where fullback Eric Abidal, who has had his own battle with cancer, is also on the comeback trail.“Tito and Abidal are both examples of fighting spirit. They are examples to follow for all that they have been through and yet at the same time they have always been there to help the club and their teammates,” said keeper Victor Valdes.“They give us a big boost and the energy to keep going season after season and to continue the success. We all hope that they are well and happy.Real Madrid have fallen 16 points behind Barcelona and will now have to field a makeshift defence against Real Sociedad with Pepe, Marcelo, Raul Albiol and Fabio Coentrao are all injured and Sergio Ramos suspended.The decision to drop keeper Iker Casillas in the final game of 2012 against Malaga reinforced rumours that Jose Mourinho had lost the support of key figures in the dressing room.Pepe further antagonised the situation by telling the press in his home country that the Portuguese players in Spain were victimised. Sergio Ramos has since tried to ease the atmosphere at the Bernabeu.Atletico Madrid lead the pursuit of Barca, lying nine points behind, and they are now away to Mallorca while Malaga, in fourth, just two points off Real Madrid, are away to bottom side Deportivo La Coruna.