Kieron Dyer has fallen out with West Ham United manager Avram Grant.
The Sun says West Ham's boss, who will miss today's match at Stoke as he observes a Jewish holy day, had named Dyer only as a sub.
But the Hammers midfielder hit the roof and pleaded to play, even though he is currently carrying a thigh injury.
A club insider revealed: "Kieron told Grant he was desperate to start and was happy to play through the pain if it helped stop the team losing another match.
"But he was gobsmacked when the manager told him 'No, you're on the bench'. Everyone knows Kieron's our best player.
"He proved that when he came on at half-time against Chelsea last Saturday.
"So Kieron told Avram to stuff it, saying 'If I'm not fit to play, I'm not fit for the bench either. I'm going to get some treatment if you think I'm so badly injured'."
Former England midfielder Dyer did not join his team-mates for the trip to the Potteries.