STEVE Davis will try to keep George Cooper out of the limelight so he can aid Crewe Alexandra’s relegation fight.

The 17-year-old grabbed the media spotlight with a stunning free-kick to seal last weekend’s vital 2-1 victory over Coventry City.

Just when some were starting to doubt the Alex philosophy once again, another prospect in the mould of Dean Ashton and Nick Powell might be the one to restore faith.

However, the boss is determined to keep expectations, and Cooper's feet, on the ground.

“We can’t put our season on George Cooper’s shoulders,” explained Davis. “We won’t be getting carried away about him.

“We have to be careful because I don’t want a situation where he’s elevated to a pedestal and pressure mounts because people think he’ll be a superstar.

“We can’t control what scouts or the media do, but we have to keep it really low key from our point of view.

“I’ve told him he has to concentrate on staying in our team and not think about anything else.

“We have to remember how early into his career he is and not spoil him.

“He’s important to us because of how we’ve introduced him – he takes the free-kicks, he takes the corners.

“But if he doesn’t play well enough he’ll get taken out, we’ve made that clear to him."

However, Davis admits it is a boost for everyone after a tough start to the season, and he believes Crewe’s new blood have a lot of potential.

“It is great for us when these types, like Nick Powell, explode onto the scene,” he continued.

“It inspires the crowd because they can see another young kid who looks like he will be a good player for us.”

“I think he has shown that he is more than capable now but doing it three times a week is another thing.

“He has to keep his performances at a decent level. If we have to take him out again, that’s for me to manage.

“What is good is that the likes of Callum (Saunders), Perry (Ng) and (James) Baillie can see that the chance is there for them to get into the first team.”

Cooper is likely to be a key part of Crewe’s bid to register another victory at Walsall on Saturday.

Equally impressive loan man Febian Brandy should be fit to play as Davis looks to extend his spell from Rotherham.

The 25-year-old scored in his first start against Coventry, with his stint so far hampered by a calf injury.

Billy Waters may also return while long-term absentee Harry Davis is expected to make the bench.

The Alex entertain Peterborough United on Tuesday, KO 7.45pm.