Nigel Pearson is determined to manage the expectations on George Tanner's shoulders and is keen to protect the youngster ahead of his return from injury.
The right-back is back in training as he nears recovery from a hamstring injury picked up in the home defeat to Queens Parks Rangers at the end of December although no timeline has been set for his return to action.
Tanner, 22, showed plenty of promise in his 12 league appearances this season after spending a duration at the start of the campaign with League Two side Carlisle.
