Boss Roy Keane says he doesn’t want to put too much weight on Connor Wickham’s young shoulders during the 2010/11 season. The youngster, who signed a two-year professional contract a fortnight ago, has begun to establish himself as a regular first team starter in recent weeks.

Keane, who says he will be looking for additional frontmen this summer, feels that it’s too soon to expect Wickham to be the club’s main striker: “I don’t want to be too dependent on a 17-year-old to fire us out of the Championship.

“You see the teams which have gone up, they have more than one player in double figures and they certainly aren’t depending on a 17-year-old, although Connor could buck the trend on that side of it.

“Even last week, although I took him off against Forest, he was probably one of our better players. But we’ve also got to be careful of the boy, he’s got England stuff coming up and he’s still growing.”

Keane feels that it’s important for the academy product to have a break during the close season: “As much as it’s a big summer for Connor, it’s important that he has a holiday and he rests up.

“As you’d expect with any 17-year-old he’s got lots of energy and always wants to be doing stuff, but there’s a discipline to chilling out and having a holiday, which is something we’ll be discussing with a lot of the younger players.

“We’re due back for pre-season on about the 28th June and I don’t want my players to be taking seven or eight weeks off, but you do have to rest the body for three or four weeks.”

Meanwhile, Sunderland boss Steve Bruce, linked with an exchange deal involving Wickham last weekend, admits that he’s a player he rates: “We’re well aware of the lad, he’s a very talented boy.

“But if he became available, I’m sure there would be plenty of other clubs, not just us, who would like to be kept in the picture.”

Town are unlikely to be interested in selling the striker, while Wickham could have joined any of several Premier League clubs prior to signing his recent deal had he been looking for an early move into the top flight.

Photo: Action Images

tom_the_blue added 13:07 - Apr 17 True, everyone on here is saying he's going to be the 'main man', lets not expect too much from him. He could be a great player if he works hard, but right now we need a couple more experienced strikers to help him get to that level and to provide compotition up front.
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Mark added 14:10 - Apr 17 Sensible comments from Keane. We should not expect too much from Wickham or put pressure on him, so that means we really do need to sign some decent strikers in the summer.
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RetroBlue added 14:17 - Apr 17 he's SEVENTEEN years old FFS! and oplaying in one of the otughest , physical divisions there is - of course he shouldnt be "the main man". It demonnstarates how little some fans actually understand about this sport ! I despair sometiomes , I really do ! and as for that gutter rag the Everning Star writing drivel, suggesting Wickham will be invloved in a swap deal, to bring the very UN impressive Murphy and Healy to PR perminanntly , is just bloody laughable !

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itfc1981 added 14:30 - Apr 17 I think Keaneo learnt from the Jordan Rhodes saga last summer, the evening star story is utter ballsacks, for god sake Keaneo would be chased out of town if he did the same thing!
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BerlinBlue added 15:39 - Apr 17 i hadn't heard that evening star story. it's clearly sensationalist rubbish. the very idea is totally ridiculous.
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Redmond added 00:18 - Apr 19 This lad is going to be one of the best in the world but atm he is just enjoying playing football and if he does well great cheer and laugh but if he does not meet the standard in one game or a couple do not get on his back ( not saying any one has just saying) and what it looks like at the min he is going to become a great player one day
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fredbarber added 19:22 - Apr 19 Keep going connor, you have proved me wrong from the start of the season. Connor and delaney have got to be are most improved players over the season
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