Newcastle boss Eddie Howe explained holding back Elliot Anderson and Harvey Barnes against Fulham.
Both midfielders started on the bench.
Howe told Chronicle Live: "It wasn't a difficult decision.
"Harvey is just back from injury and he played 90 minutes and I wanted to protect him.
"And Elliot had a nasty injury and again it was a case of looking after him and trying to keep him fit for the long term."