Ernesto Valverde will rest stars ahead of Champions League second leg

Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde is set to make wholesale changes to his side for their La Liga trip to Celta Vigo this weekend. 

Despite racking up a 3-0 lead in their Champions League first leg against Liverpool, the former Athletic Bilbao boss is set to stick with his original plan of resting players ahead of next week's second leg at Anfield.

With the La Liga title already secured, Valverde had earmarked the trip to the Estadio Balaidos as a 'rest' game for his established star names. 

He rested ten players for their La Liga draw at Huesca, in between their two Champions League ties with Manchester United, in the previous round and he is expected to make sweeping changes again.

Skipper Lionel Messi is a certainty to be rested, as Valverde continues to manage his troublesome groin problem – with no league start for the Argentinian in the last two weeks as the club look to protect him.

Fringe players Inaki Pena, Moussa Wague, Oriol Busquets, Alex Collado, Riqui Puig, Carles Perez and Abel Ruiz all took part in first team training this morning and could be included in the travelling party.