Hugh Morris, the new England team managing director, has hinted he is ready to leave key players out of overseas tours to prevent burn-out.
Pietersen is feeling the strain of three years non-stop cricket
The news will be welcomed by the likes of batting star Kevin Pietersen, who has complained of tiredness on a numbers of occasions in recent months.
Morris told 5live: "We have to make sure we have the right balance between competition, preparation and rest.
"I've an open mind but I wouldn't rule out major players missing out."
England are currently in the middle of a one-day series in Sri Lanka, having travelled there from the World Twenty20 in South Africa, which followed immediately after summer series against West Indies and India.
And Pietersen, who is a key player in England's Test, one-day and Twenty20 sides, played in the majority of those games despite complaining he was "mentally fatigued" after a "long three years without a proper break" from the game.
Morris's plans would give the likes of Pietersen a much-needed rest when he needs it.
He said: "We have to look at the programmes of those players playing Tests, one-day internationals and Twenty20 games carefully to make sure they are fit and healthy to play in the main events against the best opposition in the world."
But the new England supremo would not be drawn on how many games he believes a player should participate in.
"That all depends on whether they are a batsman or a bowler, and whether they are playing in one-day or Test matches," he added.
Morris's appointment came about as a result of the Schofield review into the state of English cricket, which was set up following last winter's Ashes debacle in Australia and a poor performance at the World Cup in the Caribbean.
The former Glamorgan captain said: "My role is strategic, but I am charged with the responsibility of regaining the Ashes and winning an ICC trophy within four years.
"I want to make a difference and we have the necessary support staff to challenge the best in the world."