ANTHONY Barness has confessed that he feels hard done by after being dropped from Wanderers' survival push.

It is not the first time but the Reebok defender says this latest disappointment has made him all the more determined to win back his place.

"There's nothing I can do, apart from trying to react in a positive way," he said. "If you react the wrong way it doesn't do you any good."

Barness has featured in 22 of Wanderers' 26 Premiership games this season, including 19 starts, and thought he had established himself in a reliable backline.

But he was surprised to lose his place after the 1-0 draw at Newcastle and admits: "The most disappointing thing is losing your place when you think you're playing well.

"I thought the defence was getting a good understanding but the manager decided to change it. It didn't work against Everton but it worked against Birmingham so I suppose the result justified the decision in the end.

"It's never easy when you're left out. It doesn't matter if the team's doing badly or doing well, you're still gutted."