PAUL Jewell says it would be unfair to expect miracles from Giles Barnes following the Derby County youngster's return to first-team action.

Barnes came on as a substitute early in the second half of Monday's draw at Charlton Athletic after being out for more than nine months with a serious knee injury.

The attacking midfielder suffered the injury in February and underwent surgery in March.

He came through a recent private friendly against Leeds United and is slowly building his match fitness.

But Jewell is worried that too much could be expected from the 20-year-old so soon after his recovery and is keen to take any pressure off the player.

"I don't really want to rush him for fear of knocking him back," said the manager.

"We would like him to have a couple more games behind closed doors because he is obviously not match-fit. We would be delighted to have him back – but we want to have him back fit.

"We tend to put too much pressure on young players and I think that is what has happened with Giles. There seems to be an expectation that when he comes back in the team, he is single-handly going to take us to the top of the league. It is not fair on him."

Barnes played a key role in helping Derby win promotion two seasons ago.

He scored eight goals in 39 appearances in the Championship and set up Stephen Pearson's winner in the play-off final at Wembley.

The impact he made led to constant transfer talk linking him with moves to Newcastle United and West Ham.

"You have to be careful not to put too much pressure on him because I think there has been too much spoken about Giles, for his own good," said Jewell.

"He burst onto the scene, did well and was rumoured to be going to this club and that club. He is only a young man, he has not had a lot of football under his belt and has had some terrible injuries, so we don't want to put too much pressure on him.

"It is important that he finds his way and comes back fit and strong.

"But don't expect to much of him too soon."