Barcelona coach Vilanova visits training session

Barcelona says coach Tito Vilanova has returned for his first visit to the club after having throat surgery to remove a tumor.

The club says Vilanova arrived early Wednesday to see the club's squad training under assistant coach Jordi Roura but did not take part.

The 44-year-old coach is recovering from surgery he had on Dec. 20. He was greeted by the nine players who turned up for the first training session of the year, including Carles Puyol, Gerard Pique, Xavi Hernandez and Sergio Busquets.