OWEN Coyle has backed Blackburn’s teenage wing ace Martin Samuelsen to fulfil his considerable talents – even though he hasn’t played him for nearly a month.

The Norway international could line up for his country in a World Cup qualifier against the Czech Republic in Prague tonight.

But he hasn’t been on the pitch for Rovers since being hauled off in the second half of the goalless home draw with Ipswich four weeks ago.

That was his only league start – although he was also in the line-up for the EFL Cup defeat at Leeds – and it followed a dazzling cameo and debut goal for his country the week before.

Samuelsen is on a season-long loan from Premier League side West Ham and arrived at Ewood Park with a sparkling reputation.

He hasn’t been helped in his quest for first team football by his new club’s lowly league position, which means Coyle is more likely to rely on his senior players than take a chance on a youngster.

But following last weekend’s 2-1 defeat at Aston Villa, after which the Rovers manager stated his loyalty to ‘certain players’ had run out, Samuelsen’s chances have improved.

He must, however, prove his physical strength and improve his end product, according to his boss.

Coyle told the Lancashire Telegraph: “Young Samuelsen is going to be an exciting player and he’s going to have a very good career.

“A number of them I have brought in are young players with the potential and the scope for growth.

“Martin showed some lovely touches and worked hard when he played against Ipswich, but I think we do have to get him a bit physically stronger for the demands of the Championship.

“But I do think in showed a couple of instances in the box where he takes people on for fun.

“What he’s got to understand, and he’ll learn and get better once he’s done that, is that you deliver that cross. You don’t have to go and beat your man again.

“Ultimately wide players are judged on their end product.

“But he’s certainly going to get better. It was important to give him that opportunity to do that.

“He worked hard and on another day something special would have happened off him. He’s going to be a very good player.”

Nineteen-year-old Samuelsen signed for the Hammers after a spell at the Manchester City academy and spent most of last season on loan with League One side Peterborough.

Last month he spoke about how he was finding life in East Lancashire difficult, but was determined to stick with it.

He said: “It has been a tough start, you can say, both for the team and for me.

“There has been little playing time. I wish that I could have been involved more and contribute, to score and create goals, which is something I can do, but that’s it.

“The coach has a lot to think about and cannot go and talk to each player.

“I hope the turning point comes soon because I’m sure when I get to play I’m going to show what I can do.”