Boss Tony Pulis has insisted Saido Berahino was "lucky to be on the bench" against Newcastle and hinted at behind-the-scenes issues.
The striker was named as a substitute for the eighth straight game ahead of the Baggies' clash with the Magpies at the Hawthorns on Monday.
Berahino has been linked with a January move to Tottenham, who had four bids rejected for him in the summer. Two of them were turned down on deadline day which then led to the forward threatening to strike.
Victor Anichebe - who had not started in the Barclays Premier League since May - was preferred instead of Berahino.
Pulis told Sky Sports ahead of the match: "He's lucky to be on the bench, never mind starting. Sometimes things go on at football clubs that you people don't see and don't realise. He's a smashing kid but he lets himself down at times."
Berahino has scored just three times this season and Pulis has previously said the 22-year-old has failed to hit the form which saw him score 20 goals for Albion last season.
Source: PA
