Fulham manager Martin Jol has revealed John Arne Riise has been missing from Fulham's starting XI due to a dip in form.
Youngster Matthew Briggs was preferred to the Norwegian at left-back for the home defeat to Swansea last week, with Riise left out of the squad completely for the win at West Brom on New Year's Day.
The 32-year-old will be absent again for the FA Cup third round clash with Blackpool after picking up an injury in training.
But Jol shrugged off suggestions he has had a falling out with the former Liverpool defender.
He said: "Sometimes after a bad string of results you want to change something and give another player a chance, and that's what we did with Briggs.
"Sometimes I tell players they are rested, like Aaron Hughes against Southampton, but sometimes I don't.
"Now John's injured and that's another situation. Maybe Briggsy will do well in the next couple of games.
"It's more of a selection thing. There was never a bust-up, John is too nice for that."