FCBARCELONA COACH TO STEP DOWN ON HEALTH GROUNDS. GUARDIOLA IS LIKELY TO FINISH THE JOB

Barcelona have been rocked by the news that head coach Tito Vilanova could be forced to step down from his role, after it emerged he has suffered a relapse of a tumor he had last year.

 The 44-year-old, who took over from Pep Guardiola earlier this year, underwent emergency surgery in November 2011 on his parotid gland, and widescale reports from Spain say his tumor has become malignant again.

Vilanova has guided the Blaugrana to the best-ever start in La Liga, which has seen them go unbeaten for 16 games, and sit atop of the table with 46 points, holding a 13-point lead over arch-rivals Real Madrid.

News of his health problems come only one day after defender Eric Abidal got the green light to make his comeback, after spending the majority of 2012 on the sidelines due to a liver transplant.

Barca have yet to comment on the matter, but cancelled a Christmas lunch with the media, and are expected to release an official statement later on Wednesday in which Pep Guardiola is likely to come back.