BRIGHTON AND HOVE Albion boss Graham Potter has explained Irish star Aaron Connolly’s absence from first-team squads, and stressed the importance of managing the young striker’s workload as he continues to develop.
The 19-year-old has had a breakthrough season at the Seagulls, bursting onto the scene in October when he bagged a brace against Tottenham in his first Premier League start.
Subsequently, Connolly forced his way into Mick McCarthy’s Ireland senior team, making his full debut off the bench against Georgia before starting against Switzerland.
Though the Galway native hasn’t scored for Brighton since that double against Spurs and has struggled with injury, Potter has been highly impressed by his overall contribution.
It has been a steep learning curve and Connolly’s minutes have been limited at times, with Potter explaining why he was left out of the squad for last weekend’s game against Everton.
He could return to the matchday squad against Aston Villa tomorrow, but the Brighton boss insists that he must nurture the teen star carefully.
“We must remember that he’s still only 19 years old, he’s learning the game and learning how to be a Premier League footballer,” Potter said.
“That’s just a natural process because this time last year he was playing in the U23s.
Connolly after the Switzerland game.
Source: Ryan Byrne/INPHO
“He’s taken a step up to play in the most competitive league in the world so it’s probably a bit unfair for us to just expect him to be available for every single minute.
