Rafa Benitez has explained Jacob Murphy's absence from his Newcastle United squad.
Murphy, signed from Norwich City last summer for £12million, hit form late last year.
However, the 23-year-old wasn't involved in yesterday's 2-2 draw against Bournemouth.
Benitez was asked about Murphy's absence after the Premier League fixture.
“We had to decide about wingers, defenders, strikers," said Benitez.
"The good thing is that we don’t have too many injuries, so someone had to stay out.
"He (Murphy) was doing well, and I told him that I was disappointed (he couldn’t be in the squad), but you have to make these decisions.
"We have (Christian) Atsu as a winger, so it's just a decision, because of the number of players we can have in the squad."