Tottenham manager Jose Mourinho feels Troy Parrott is not yet ready for regular first-team football.
Spurs have failed to score in their last three league games but Mourinho says it's not the right time to "put pressure on the shoulders" of the teenager.
The Tottenham added that the Republic of Ireland international has "potential" but will need to "work very hard".
England captain Harry Kane is sidelined until April after having surgery on a hamstring tendon injury but Mourinho says Parrott will need to bide his time:
"I had a long conversation with him today so I am ready to share with you," the Portuguese coach said at his press conference this afternoon.
"I think he has potential. I think he needs to work a lot. He has a process to go through, a process that probably Tanganga had. One thing is 17 and another thing is 20. We are speaking about three years of distance and three years.
“Ok in Tanganga’s case it was three years without a Premier League match, but it was three years or working and playing, playing in his age groups, playing in England national team [youth games], which also gave him some experience. Then with me it was just the last part of his preparation before he had his first opportunity.
“I think Troy has to go through a process. Can he have minutes? Yes he can minutes. I’m not saying he’s not able to have minutes, but to put on his shoulders the responsibility of replacing somebody to be replaced, I don’t think he’s ready at all.”
Mourinho is also hopeful that record signing Tanguy Ndombele will soon return to full fitness:
"I hope he will be fit to play a run of games. When you look at when he played, he offers us something we need.
"Last week he worked one-on-one with a fitness coach to bring his level up before joining the group. Hopefully, he can give us something tomorrow."
