CHRIS Hughton insisted he has not had to handle Nathan Redmond with kid gloves since the winger’s stunning early-season impact.

The Blues boss said the 17-year-old prodigy understood he was still developing as a player.

Redmond is on England duty today, with the Under-18s for their friendly in Slovakia.

It should provide him with a welcome change from the frustration he has doubtless felt at a lack of domestic activity for Blues’ senior side.

Redmond made his first Blues start in the Europa League play-off at CD Nacional, his league debut for Blues at Middlesbrough three days later, and played in the return against the Portuguese.

On that memorable St Andrew’s night at the end of August, he stole the show. He fired Blues’ opening goal in a 3-0 win, thus becoming the club’s first scorer in major European competition since Bertie Auld in 1961.

Redmond came down off that high with a bump at Watford in Blues’ next match and once Hughton got a fully-fit squad to choose from, the Brummie fell down the pecking order.

Redmond’s eight-minute substitute appearance at Reading in Blues’ last outing was his first taste of action for eight games.