Ghana midfielder Stephen Appiah was left out of Bologna's clash with Lazio in the Italian Serie A on Sunday even though he was highly fancied to make his official debut in the game.
The Black Stars captain was among the 23 players called for the crucial game against Lazio.
Appiah has not played an official game for the club since joining them on a free transfer late last year.
But after four consecutive defeats, it was thought coach Franco Colomba was likely to hand Appiah a role in the game as the enforcer to help change the fortunes of the club.
That is because Appiah was used in a midfield starting role during training throughout this week preceding the game.
TuttuSport newspaper also reported on Saturday that coach Colomba was thinking about using Appiah for the game.
But the Ghana captain was left out of the first 18 and Bologna went on to lose 3-2 in their home game leaving them just one place above the relegation zone.
With four matches remaining in the Italian top flight, Appiah desperately needs some playing time to secure his match fitness for the World Cup in June.
If he gets some playing time, the news will delight coach Milovan Rajevac who wants all his key players fit for the tournament in South Africa.
But this is not the first time Appiah was named in Bologna's camping team.
He was named in the club's camping team last month but was not among thefirst 18.