Kerim Frei benched for the 6th time against Newcastle United despite Zola praising the Birmingham City winger last week

Birmingham City held Newcastle United to a goalless draw at St Andrew’s on Sunday 18 March.

Turkish international winger Kerim Frei was included in the match day squad but did not feature for the Blues.

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Frei has now been benched six times and this is third time he has been an unused substitute.

The 23-year-old winger has made just three stats since joining the Championship side from Besiktas, playing a total of 371 minutes.

Blues head coach Gianfrance Zola decided not to use his January signing despite praising his display following the 1-1 draw against Cardiff City last week.

Zola revealed that the introduction of Frei and Che Adams proved to be a pivotal moment for his side.

The Italian manager was quoted in the Birmingham Mail as saying: “There was a moment when the goal unsettled us, but I think when we changed, Kerim [Frei] came on the pitch and we changed with Che [Adams] and we had something more going forward. That created a lot more opportunities.”

The young winger left the Istanbul giants in pursuit of regular first team football but has struggled for regular playing time so far at Birmingham.