Nigel Pearson has been delighted with the progress of Leicester City's promising under-21s, but said he would be cautious of throwing them into the deep end of the Premier League.
Defenders Kieran Kennedy and James Pearson, son of the City boss, started Monday night's 2-0 win at MK Dons, with Pearson scoring a wonderful second goal at Stadium:MK.
Alie Sesay, Jack Barmby and Jak McCourt also made appearances as they prepare for their campaign in the elite division of the Barclays Premier Under-21 League.
Manager Pearson said there was a lot of talent coming through, but warned caution was needed if they were to flourish and admitted the step up could be too big too soon.
"It was a very good goal, he gets it from his dad," said Pearson of the full-back's goal.
"He probably copes with it (being the manager's son) slightly better than I do. He deals with it very well.
"I judge him probably a bit harder than other players. That is a natural thing.
"I am pleased for him because he has worked hard and he did well at the weekend at Scunthorpe and played an hour there. So for him to get another 70 minutes was very good.
"I am more interested in his overall performance, like I would be with any of the players.
"But it is probably too big a step. He has done very well.
"What we have done this pre-season is top up the first-team squad with the under-21s who have either done very well or helped us in terms of numbers. It is never easy.
"I thought Kieran at centre-back came in and stuck at it. He has had a difficult 12 months settling in with us. It is a massive ask.
"What we will do with our under-21s will be to decide whether players are going to be utilised like Tom Hopper.
"He has made the step up into the first-team squad but possibly hasn't made the appearances he would like.
"But it is about bringing these players on at the right step. Certainly, now that we have moved on into the next tier, you have to be careful that the challenge is right for those players. That applies to all of them.
"I am really pleased what the under-21s achieved last season and again we have got a few players where maybe a loan experience will be the next step for them."
