Barcelona will face a familiar face in their huge La Liga clash away to Girona on Saturday as on-loan defender Eric Garcia is expected to start for the hosts against his parent club.

Eric has revived his career during his loan spell at Girona and his future is in question as we approach the end of the season, with his current club willing to do whatever it takes to sign the 23-year-old on a permanent deal this summer.

But Xavi Hernandez is not interested in parting ways with Eric. Speaking in a press conference on Friday the boss was asked about the defender, and made it clear he wants Garcia to stay and revealed his loan to Girona last summer only happened due to Financial Fair Play.

"The idea is for Eric Garcia to return, yes. He had a place in my team this year, but had to leave due to fair play. I didn't want him to leave."

Eric will face heavy competition once he returns to Barca thanks to the rise of Pau Cubarsi, but he might still find a spot in the team if one of the big-name defenders such as Jules Kounde or Ronald Araujo are sold in the summer.

Playing a full year as a regular starter for one of the best teams in the league was hugely beneficial to Eric, who will certainly be ready for a bigger role at Barca if the circumstances allow it.