Steve Bruce has explained why Joe Willock made a shock return to the starting line-up at Watford - just 24 hours after he'd ruled him out.
The former Arsenal midfielder picked up a toe injury earlier in the week and was even described as "touch and go" for next weekend's clash at Wolverhampton Wanderers.
But Bruce included Willock in the squad on Friday before surprising everybody by naming him in the team.
In his post-game Press conference, he explained: “I think it’s important that I try to put our side across.
"He actually kicked the floor on Tuesday, and it was a sore one where we actually thought, the medical people, that he’d maybe done a metatarsal.
"We put him in a boot because he was sore.
"And then he’s had a scan, and he’s done something to the bottom of his foot. It’s an impact injury."
But no sooner had Bruce informed the Press that Willock was injured, the player himself insisted he wanted to play.
Bruce reflected: "Joe walked in on Friday, and said he felt much better and wanted to give it a go.
"So we encouraged him to train, which he did. He came through it, and I thought did very well.
"It’s a pity he didn’t take one of his chances.
"I thought, when I first looked at it, it was a penalty, but unfortunately it wasn’t."
