Tito Vilanova is expected to return to the Barcelona dugout tonight, and with his return Barcelona expect to recapture the incredible form they enjoyed at the start of the campaign, when Vilanova first took control of the side from his former boss, Pep Guardiola.

Vilanova had surgery for throat cancer in December and has since spent two months in New York, as part of his recovery programme. While he did not travel to his team’s 2-2 La Liga draw with Celta Vigo last Saturday, it is expected Vilanova will return to the Barca bench tonight.

Two defeats to Real Madrid, in the Copa Del Rey and La Liga, and a first leg defeat to Milan last month had many critics pronouncing, or strongly hinting at, the demise of the great Barcelona side, with Vilanova’s absence seen as an accelerating factor in any diminishing of playing powers at the Camp Nou.

His return tonight, along with the potential return of long term absentee and fellow cancer sufferer Eric Abidal, will give his Barca team a massive boost as they look to restrict Zlatan Ibrahimovic and his PSG side in Paris.

Barcelona looked noticeably weaker of spirit and will in their defeats to Madrid and Milan than they had looked in previous months and years, and it appeared that Vilanova's absence was gradually eroding the mental strength needed to sustain a challenge over an entire season.

Barcelona assistant coach Jordi Roura spoke at a press conference yesterday and explained how Vilanova’s return would give the team a massive psychological boost as they enter the critical end of this year’s European competition.

“After a complicated situation things are getting back to normal and from a personal point of view everyone is very happy.

“The plan is that Tito Vilanova should be on the bench with us tomorrow.

“Tito is the boss, our leader.”