Anthony Knockaert is not the finished article but still has a key role to perform for Leicester City, said manager Nigel Pearson.
The French winger was left out of the starting line-up for Saturday's defeat at Brighton after being withdrawn at half-time in the midweek loss at Sheffield Wednesday.
But he made a big impact after going on at half-time at the Amex Stadium.
Knockaert teed up Andy King for City's goal which pulled them back into the game after going 2-0 down during a desperately disappointing first-half display.
Potential
Pearson said the 22-year-old was City's potential match-winner but still had plenty to learn about his role within the team.
"He did some good things and he is still learning the game," said Pearson.
"I think it's always important not to just watch a player when he's got the ball at his feet, but there is more to his performances than just that.
"Players have roles within the structure of the side and sometimes you need to freshen it up.
"He's taken it very well. He's coming on nicely as a player, he is a potential match-winner for us and he has been already this year, and he will continue to be so.
"I rate him very, very highly as do his peers and the staff.
"Him not starting (against Brighton) was certainly not the reason for us putting on a disappointing show.
"The players on the pitch are more than capable of doing what's expected of them but they didn't do it."
Pearson was certainly encouraged by the performances of Knockaert and fellow substitute Gary Taylor-Fletcher as City began to gain the upper hand, until Wes Morgan was penalised for a push on Seagulls striker Ashley Barnes in penalty area, the Brighton man sealing the win from the penalty spot.
Pearson felt the penalty award was harsh on his team.
"I thought Knockaert had his moments and I thought Taylor-Fletcher showed good touches and intelligence in terms of the positions he took up," said the City boss.
"We had our chances and I thought we got back into the game, but the third goal really killed us.
"There was a little bit of contact but some lads these days really can't stay on their feet, unfortunately.
"It was a cheap penalty from our perspective. We got ourselves back into it and although we had to take a lot of risks, we looked as though we could get something. We lost it in the first half again."• Follow live coverage of the League Championship match between Leicester City and Burnley at the King Power Stadium on Saturday, December 14, 2013.
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