Keegan, speaking to the Mirror, said: "I cannot understand any player not wanting to watch his own team.

"How can Joey come to me on Monday morning and say he should be playing when he hasn't even watched the game? He has apologised to me in front of all my staff, which was the right thing to do.

"This kind of thing started when Eyal Berkovic wasn't in the side and didn't want to watch. I think Joey saw that and copied it. It's not what I expect from a young player just starting off in the game. I don't think it's right and I told him that.

"It's not wrong to be disappointed that you're not playing, but you should make sure you watch your team at the very least. When you don't do that, it doesn't send out the right kind of message to me, the other players and the fans."

Keegan then tried to explain the reasoning behind his decision to omit the fesity midfielder.

"My concern with Joey has always been whether he's going to stay on the pitch or not. He was sent off against Spurs and the problem has always been over his discipline," added the under-fire City boss.

"At this stage of the season, I think experience is what we need and what will pull us through."