Ivan Rakitic overlooked for Barcelona squad selection

Ivan Rakitic has been omitted from Barcelona's matchday squad for Sunday evening's trip to face Villarreal in La Liga.

The Croatia international has been in and out of the team in recent weeks, having previously featured heavily under boss Luis Enrique upon joining from Sevilla in 2014.

Rakitic, who missed three games in a row for Barca after their El Clasico draw with Real Madrid in early December, will now play no part against Villarreal at El Madrigal.

Enrique will also be without Aleix Vidal and Jeremy Mathieu for tonight's match, as the Catalan giants attempt to recover from their Copa del Rey defeat to Athletic Bilbao in midweek - a match in which Rakitic lasted 70 minutes before being hauled off.