Nigel Pearson says Kane Wilson's absence from the matchday squad against Middlesbrough came down to a combination of finding the right balance and wanting to take a look at City's academy prospects.
Kal Naismith's return from injury meant Wilson was left out of the side in the entertaining 2-2 draw against Michael Carrick's promotion hopefuls with Pearson preferring 19-year-old right-back Harry Leeson and 20-year-old central defender Callum Wood on the bench - both of whom are awaiting their senior debuts.
Wilson, 23, has yet to make a league start since his free transfer from Forest Green Rovers in the summer having endured a hugely frustrating campaign. He picked up an injury in pre-season that saw Mark Sykes handed his opportunity at wing-back when City were playing with a back three.
