Pablo Hernandez has broken his silence after being left out of the Leeds United squad to face Crystal Palace on Saturday.
The Whites were beaten 4-1 at Selhurst Park without the services of Jamie Shackleton, Kalvin Phillips, Rodrigo Moreno and Diego Llorente.
Hernandez was another absentee, with supporters assuming the influential Spaniard was injured after he was substituted in the 67th minute against Leicester City on Monday.
Marcelo Bielsa explained after the match that the 35-year-old was available for selection but was omitted from the squad.
"Pablo doesn't have any injury, just wasn't picked for this game," Bielsa said in his post-match press conference.
"I evaluated all of the players for the upcoming game and I didn't pick him for this game. The decision may seem strange, but I chose the 18 players who I feel are most apt for the match."
When pressed on why Hernandez missed out, with Leeds instead fielding a very inexperienced bench, Bielsa said: "I didn't pick Jenkins in the place of Pablo. And the response to your question I have already given.
"I reiterate; I pick the 18 players who I believe are in the best conditions for the upcoming game. You can qualify my decision as a wrong one, given the arguments as you have given."
While Bielsa wouldn't go into further details when pressed, fans pointed to Hernandez' gesture when taken off against Leicester City, a gesture which has prompted the player to now apologise for his actions.
Hernandez has now issued the message above to Leeds supporters on Instagram, speaking for the first time since Saturday's defeat.
He wrote: "Apologies for my gesture the other day, it was a reaction that nothing describes my way of being or my way of thinking.
"I have always represented and will represent the values of this club and this fans as they deserve #lestweforget "
