NEWCASTLE loanee Jeff Hendrick was left off Sheffield Wednesday's 25-man EFL registered squad, but still played in an FA Cup game.
Hendrick was back on the pitch in last week's FA Cup match against Coventry, which Wednesday lost 4-1.
Hendrick joined Wednesday at the start of the season after falling out of favour at St James' Park.
In January he reportedly asked to terminate his loan spell at Hillsborough but the request was refused.
Manager Danny Rohl explained Hendrick's latest appearance on the pitch, saying he was surprised to discover that players left off the EFL squad registration list can still play in cup games.
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Speaking to The Star, Rohl said: "He played some minutes in the cup which was good.
"There is a learning also from my side that you have an FA Cup list and a league list."
He went on to explain why Hendrick had originally been left out of the squad, saying: "We have seven loans and so we have to make decisions, this is part of the reason why."
As the rules stand, a club can only register five loanee players and Hendrick did not make the cut.
Rohl then said it wasn't all over for the player, adding: "He is still involved and I think maybe when I look to the next 15 games it could be that he is helpful.
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“He has trained, he is professional.
“All of my players have taken the situation how it is.
“This is not normal, when I compare this to my stations before, you have players who are disappointed and they show this.
“But my group is fantastic, it is outstanding what they are doing.
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“It's great to see."
Wednesday will play Championship leaders Leicester tomorrow in their bid to move out of the relegation zone.
