GRAEME Murty has told of the need for Sunderland to be "really careful" with emerging star Tommy Watson on the back of a string of first team opportunities for the teenage winger.

Watson had only played five minutes of Championship football for Sunderland prior to this season but has been in the squad for the last seven league games and used by Regis Le Bris as a late substitute in the three fixtures before the current international break.

Sunderland have extremely high hopes for the 18-year-old, who was the subject of a £2m deadline day bid from Premier League club Brighton.

But Under-21s boss Murty has stressed the importance of patience with the left winger, who will be monitored closely on and off the pitch.

Sunderland's coaches will back themselves in striking the right balance when it comes to giving Watson crucial first team opportunities without putting too much pressure on the highly-rated youngster.

And key, says Murty, is making sure this is just the start for Watson and that the flanker doesn't rest on his laurels after appearing to establish himself in Le Bris' first team squad.

"We have to be really careful," said Murty.

"Tommy is a good player and is having a good moment. We have to make sure this doesn't become the highlight of his year.

"If this is the highlight of his year we have to look at our programme and how we're supporting our players.

"We want this to be a springboard for Tommy. We're really careful with our messaging to his friends, family, everyone who's watching him that this is still a very young man developing his game. He's going to make mistakes, he's going to be really raw at times.

"We have to make sure we're consistent with him. We're not too high or low."

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Watson will continue to feature for the Under-21s and scored a brace in Monday night's 6-0 win over Derby County.

But Le Bris has been extremely impressed with how Watson has taken tactical messages on board, with the winger's behind the scenes diligence paying off.

"Tommy is really good to work with," said Murty.

"He's not the most outgoing of people at times but he listens, studies and tries to make sure he's doing the right thing consistently and we have to make sure that over the year we see a consistent growth and development and a place for Tommy to mature and develop at his pace.

"That's really sometimes hard because everyone wants something right now, including the player, and we have to make sure we support him in his challenges and his successes and teach him how to deal with both.

"Sometimes in football we focus on one or the other - helping with challenges or successes. We need to get the right blend to make sure we're there to challenge him when he's doing really well and raise the bar. But sometimes when our players have a challenge we have to be supportive and be the willing ear to make sure they get what they need at that time."