Steve Bruce has explained why Fabian Schar got the nod over Nabil Bentaleb and Matty Longstaff during the 2-1 defeat at Watford.
The Magpies produced a game of two halves after dominating the first 45 minutes before going missing after the break.
More worryingly they conceded two needless penalties to offer Watford a helping hand in their battle against the drop.
Bruce was asked by Schar has now played out of position in the last two games.
He said: SB: "I thought we needed Fabian Schär's physicality and I think it worked in the first-half. “Him playing in midfield is something we've worked on in training so it's given me food for thought.
“With Sean Longstaff and Isaac Hayden out we are short so I picked him for his physicality."
Longstaff has been linked with a move to Udinese in Italy but has appeared just twice since lockdown with two fleeting appearances as sub.
His contract runs out at the end of the month.
