Lewis Brunt's next step explained as Brendan Rodgers deliberately avoids 'nice and comfy' debut

Brendan Rodgers deliberately chose to thrust Lewis Brunt into an away game at a big stadium for his Premier League debut.

The City boss brought on the 21-year-old for the final quarter of Sunday’s 3-1 defeat to Tottenham, giving another chance to a player who impressed in first senior match in the FA Cup against Watford in January. Rodgers was keen to see how he coped in rather different surroundings.

Away from the “nice and comfy” atmosphere of home, Brunt had to play in front of 60,000 away at a Champions League chaser. Rodgers thought he did well, and he again showed his versatility by playing in defensive midfield having played as a centre-back for the Under-23s this term.

The next step for Brunt, who was signed from Aston Villa last summer, is a pre-season with the first team over the summer. Then Rodgers will make a decision.

“He’s a really talented player,” the manager said. “He’s obviously more of a defensive player. As a young player at Aston Villa he was a midfield player.

“It was interesting to see his presence on the field, his comfort with the ball. I think with young players, everyone likes to play them at home where it’s nice and comfy, but I wanted to see him in front of 60,000 people. I need players that can handle the football as well as defend. He was able to do that.

“It’s just getting him through to the end of the season. He might get some more game-time, or not. He’ll have pre-season with the first team and then we’ll assess it from there.

“But he’s certainly got talent and today was about giving him that feeling of working in the Premier League. Hopefully it gives that motivation to fight even harder.”

Just 24 hours later it was back to the bread and butter for Brunt as he captained City