Northern Ireland manager Michael O'Neill believes teenage sensation Sean Moore should be afforded some space to "enjoy his football" after being thrust under the spotlight in recent weeks.
The 17-year-old Cliftonville winger has blasted onto the Irish League scene this season, with five goals in 24 Premiership appearances for the title-chasing Reds.
Cross-channel clubs including Everton and Newcastle United are monitoring the talented teen's progress, while a potential tug-of-war has threatened to develop over the youngster's international future.
Read more: Northern Ireland squad announcement live updates
Moore, who has represented Northern Ireland at Under 16 level, was recently called into a Republic of Ireland U19 training camp.
O'Neill named his own squad on Tuesday for this month's Euro qualifying double-header against San Marino and Finland.
When asked if he had been tempted to include the Cliftonville youngster, O'Neill said: "I watched Sean last week in the game against Glentoran and was very impressed by how he played. But you're looking at a young player who has only a handful of games in the Irish Premiership and doesn't even have a full season behind him yet.
"It would be asking a lot to put him in that scenario, and people would question my motives for doing so which wouldn't be right for the player.
"I think we just need to let this young player enjoy his football. We maybe need to write less about him than we have been. And that's the most important thing.
"He is a young player who is doing extremely well. I have relatives who are season ticket holders at Cliftonville who tell me regularly about how well he is doing.
"When I watched him he scored two great goals and was a threat throughout the game."
Meanwhile, O'Neill hopes Moore links up with Northern Ireland's Under 19 squad for this month's Elite stages of the Euro qualifiers.
Northern Ireland will face France, Romania and Norway in Group 1, with the winners qualifying to join hosts Malta in the finals next July.
O'Neill said: "Sean has been selected for our Under 19 squad which will play in the Elite phase of the Euros, and hopefully he takes up that invitation."
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