NEIL Lennon faced up to criticism of his non-selection of Wellington Silva at Leeds United on Saturday by insisting: “He’s not playing well enough.”

The Wanderers boss came under fire from fans for leaving the on-loan Arsenal winger on the bench as his side chased survival points at Elland Road.

Wellington has made 22 appearances for the Whites this season, scoring twice, and his last start was in the 3-2 defeat at Brighton on February 13.

Lennon put the 23-year-old in the development squad on Monday night to gain some match sharpness but left him out of the action as his side were cast 10 points adrift in the Championship relegation zone.

“He has not been playing well enough to warrant a place in the team,” he told The Bolton News. “His recent performances haven’t been anywhere near good enough. He is a decent player at home but away from home he is a bit lightweight.”

Kaiyne Woolery pulled a goal back for Wanderers at Leeds but Lennon feels it is too soon to consider him as a regular starter.

“Woolery has been around it for a while but it is a big ask to throw him in there and start a game at this level because of lack of experience,” he said. “He is far better coming on as a sub.”

Lennon had to make a late alteration to his starting line-up on Saturday after Emile Heskey aggravated a hip problem in the warm-up, with Gary Madine set to keep his place against Ipswich Town tomorrow night.