Steve Bruce has explained why Matty Longstaff was dropped into the Newcastle reserve side this week after being fielded in the mini Tyne-Wear derby at the Academy of Light.
The 20-year-old played 90 minutes of the 1-1 draw after being left out of the senior squad since mid-January, along with his older brother Sean, who hasn't played since the 1-0 loss to Sheffield United.
But Bruce insists he has no qualms about putting the England Under-20 international Matty back into his side - he simply has to be patient.
Bruce, speaking at his weekly Press conference, said: "He hasn't been away.
"Matty just hasn't found himself in the team, somebody so young, you remember he is still just 20.
"It is important that we found some game-time for him to get under his belt.
"It was an opportunity for him to get 90 minutes which is never a bad thing but especially being so young."
Bruce then played down any talk of unrest between himself and Longstaff, who he handed his Premier League debut to only last season.
Bruce went on: "It's fine, look I have the same thing every other week - I can only pick 11.
"I have 15 others champing at the bit.
"Matty at the moment is not in the side but let us not forget he has a huge big future, there is no question about that.
"He had a big rise last year and finds himself out the team at the minute.
"He has to stick with it, his time will come again that's for sure."
Bruce hopes that Newcastle's injury crisis will have eased by the time the March internationals are done and dusted.
With Callum Wilson, Miguel Almiron and Allan Saint-Maximin all out injured, Bruce believes that they are on course for an April return.
The head coach said: "Nature has to take its cause.
"The medical department are working as hard as they can.
"Maybe after the international break it can do us a turn, we hope they will be there or thereabouts."
