Coach Tony Smith insists youngster Brad Dwyer need not worry about being omitted from Warrington Wolves' squad that beat the Bradford Bulls.
The teenager, who turned 19 on Sunday, was not utilised by Smith in their weekend Carnegie Challenge Cup success over Bradford at the Halliwell Jones Stadium.
Dwyer has played a role for the club during the early stages of the season and Smith insists he was merely giving him a break from the action, stating he believes he has a 'big future' in the game.
"Maybe we spoiled his birthday, but he is only 19 years old and it is not always fair on some of these young players to play them week in, week out," he told the Warrington Guardian.
"He has filled in well and has done a very good job, but to play week in, week out you can sometimes break a young bloke.
"So it may be the best birthday present he's ever had, by not playing him and taking care of him.
"He is going to have a big future in the game and he will have plenty more birthdays in first grade, I'm sure."