Barcelona No2 Jordi Roura expects Tito Vilanova to be on the bench for the derby today against Espanyol.

If everything goes to plan, Vilanova will be on the bench for the match after spending a few days in New York.

Roura explained: "He's come back from New York in excellent spirits and happy. The tests went well and he's looking good to me.

Roura has been a key figure throughout the recovery of his boss and told reporters.

"I took on this responsibility in a relaxed and straightforward way. I just tried to make the manager's absence have as little effect as possible".