Barcelona striker David Villa is set to play 45 minutes in the Trofeo Joan Gamper against Sampdoria on Monday.
The Asturian will not be considered for Sunday’s opening La Liga fixture against Real Sociedad but will get the opportunity to step up his comeback from a broken leg against the Italians.
Although the Spanish international has increased his fitness levels over the past few weeks, the Barca medical staff are taking things slowly and have informed boss Tito Vilanova that Villa would be best served by playing just half the Sampdoria game.
Vilanova will not risk any of the players who will have featured against Sociedad less than 24 hours earlier, given La Blaugrana will play the first leg of the Supercopa de Espana against Real Madrid at the Camp Nou on Wednesday.
