Barcelona coach Xavi is set to drop captain Sergi Busquets for Thursday's clash with Villarreal.
The midfielder struggled in Sunday's defeat at Real Madrid.
AS says Xavi feels the veteran needs a break and he will be rested for this week's LaLiga clash.
Frenkie de Boer is set to step into Busquets' place for the night.
There is now speculation that Busquets could join fellow veterans Gerard Pique and Jordi Alba on the bench if De Jong impresses this week.
