RALPH Hasenhuttl confirmed that Jack Stephens was absent from the 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace through rotation and not injury, while Adam Armstrong was not ready.

Both Armstrong and Armando Broja were racing against time to be ready for the clash at Selhurst Park, with the Albanian successful and impacting the game heavily with a superb strike.

But former Toon man Armstrong, after limping off in the first-half at Arsenal, found Wednesday too soon.

Supporters were also concerned that Stephens was not a member of the squad, after he had only just returned from a long-term tendon injury suffered back in September.

However, Hasenhuttl moved to explain the absences speaking after the match, saying: “Yeah it was rotation for me (Stephens), and for Arma it was too early.

“He still has pain in his leg,” the Austrian added.

“I was happy that Broja could make it just in time but this was also not so sure, and you can see how important he was for our team.

“We need every player at the moment, it can be one time that you are out of the squad and the next game you have to play because we need everyone.”

Fraser Forster and Alex McCarthy were also both absent but Hasenhuttl says there could be an opportunity for the former to return versus Brentford on Saturday.

He added: “Yes it is also an opportunity, but I’m very happy for Willy today, he did a good job. But yeah we will look for what happens, we are playing against a team that has rested all week.”