Palmer still has a lot to learn — Sheridan

JOHN Sheridan wants Matt Palmer to stay free of a burden of expectation, believing there is plenty of room for improvement yet in his game.

The Burton prospect (21) has been outstanding for Athletic in his month so far spent at the club — an arrangement which has now been extended on an emergency loan basis until the end of the season, enabling him to feature against Port Vale tonight.

Seven games in to his career at SportsDirect.com Park, though, Sheridan is not keen to add to the current fanfare.

“I think people are getting carried away a little with Matty,” Sheridan said, before issuing an appeal for calm in the follow-up to an under-par show in the first half at Glanford Park last Saturday.

“He is enjoying his football, but I don’t think he played well in the first half at Scunthorpe, probably with a few others.

“He did play well in the second half, but he is only a young kid at 21 and it’s about him getting games.

“The good thing is, it will do him the world of good that he is playing regularly.

“Everyone knows I like him as a player so I don’t have to keep going on about him. But there are lots of things he needs to improve in his game.

“I spoke to Nigel (Clough) and he’s pleased with him as long as he is playing games and playing well. Hopefully, he will keep doing that while he is here.”

Palmer could be recalled by League One pacesetters Burton after the first 28 days of his new emergency loan spell have elapsed.