Newcastle midfielder Nolberto Solano has admitted he may have to consider his future after losing his first-team place.
The 27-year-old Peruvian was devastated to be left out for the glorious night in Rotterdam earlier this month when his side clinched their place in the last 16 of the Champions League with a stunning 3-2 win over Feyenoord.
Solano, a mainstay of the side under the man who signed him, Kenny Dalglish, and his successors Ruud Gullit and Sir Bobby Robson, has had to make do with the bench ever since, getting his first taste of action as a second-half substitute in Saturday's 5-3 defeat at Manchester United.
Teenager Jermaine Jenas has been asked to fill the right-wing berth in the last three games amid rumours of a training ground bust-up between the South American and the Magpies' coaching staff.
However, while Robson has insisted that he still has a future at the club and has challenged him to fight for his place, the player has admitted that he may have to think the unthinkable if his exile continues.
"I'm quite happy at Newcastle and I'm not planning to go anywhere," he said. "But I've been at the club for more than four seasons now and I just don't expect to be on the bench.
"If the club doesn't want me, then there's nothing I can do about that, but I'm desperate to stay at St James' Park.
"This is the most exciting time since I've been on Tyneside and nobody would want to leave a side in the second phase of the Champions League, but it might not be in my hands.
"If I am not playing first-team football, then I would have to consider my future."
Solano arrived on Tyneside in August 1998 in a #2.5million switch from Argentinian side Boca Juniors, and after taking a little time to get to grips with the pace and power of the Premiership game, proved himself a valuable asset.