BILLY Davies today revealed he had left Chris Gunter out of his Nottingham Forest side because the defender was 'mentally exhausted'.

The Welsh international was a surprise omission from the Reds starting XI, with Brendan Moloney handed his first start of the season, as Burnley were beaten 2-0.

"Chris needed a rest, mentally as much as physically. He has played an awful lot of games since I have been here, for his country as well as us," said Davies.

"In the last few weeks, he had looked mentally tired. Some of his decision-making was tired.

"But he is not alone. We have young players and we have to wrap them in cotton wool sometimes.

"The break will do him the world of good and it was nice to see Brendan Moloney come in and do very well."

Davies also revealed that Robbie Findley could return to action in the near future, after he trained for the first time since his thigh injury.

"Robbie is back in training and he could be back in a week or possibly two," said Davies. "He could be a big player for us in the last three or four games.

"If he can come through a few days training, he will only be a week or two away. We are in a needs-must situation, where we are throwing guys in when they are only half fit."

Burnley were reduced to ten men by the first half sending off of Marvin Bartley, for a high tackle on Luke Chambers.

"I was nervous about the sending off, because ten men are not always easy to play against," said Davies. "They were just waiting for something off a free-kick or a corner, particularly when they brought on big Chris Iwelumo."