RISING Burnley star Kyle Lafferty should not be burdened with too much expectation, admits Clarets manager Steve Cotterill.

The 18-year-old Northern Ireland striker is tipped for a bright future at Turf Moor following a remarkable 2005/06 breakthrough season.

He broke into the Burnley first team squad at the start of the campaign, earning five substitute appearances in the opening month.

Despite Lafferty's much promise, Cotterill is determined to shield away pressure from the Belfast-born forward.

"We must not rely on young Kyle next season," said Cotterill.

"I think we should back off a little bit with him.

"He's still only a kid and has come a long way in such a shot space of time. We've got to make sure that we protect him and I will do that.

"We cannot put him under any sort of pressure. If we are thinking of relying on Kyle to get us 20 goals, then we need to address our thoughts on that."

"Obviously, if he scores two in his first game, then one the next game and another the game after that, then we'll handle that situation."

Cotterill added: "But we've got to look after him, that's the bottom line. It is the same situation with Chris McCann.

"Last year, both of them were growing very quickly. I did not want to be their parents because they were outgrowing all their clothes. They went from short trousers to long trousers.

"But the two of them have got to be looked after and not put on a pedestal. Kids can easily fall off that."