DEVANTE Rodney has missed so much football in his formative years, there’s plenty of untapped potential according to his manager.

The attacker impressed wide-right in a front three as Hartlepool United gave their best display of the campaign – and by some distance – as they thumped Maidstone on Saturday.

Rodney drove at the defence from the off, his power and pace causing problems.

The erratic nature of his game, he is as likely to excite as he is frustrate, means he is always under the microscope – especially after his end of season heroics in scoring twice in the final game.

And Pools’ boss Craig Harrison said: “Devante has done well, worked himself into the ground and he needs to get over that 60-minute mark. He’s not played a lot in his career to build that stamina and resilience. Physically he is a specimen, but it’s not to always say you are going to be full of endurance.

“It comes with experience and something as a young player nervous energy can take your energy sources away, but he is very fast and explosive. He started well, was positive on the right and in my time I wouldn’t want to play against him – he’s pace and strength and he’s learning.’’

Signed from Sheffield Wednesday’s Academy last season, Rodney has taken time to adapt to first-team football after suffering from injury at Hillsborough.

And Harrison added: “Probably 65 per cent of his potential is there now, there’s still a way to go, which comes with experience and learning. He will be up and down and he’s 19, but 19 with low levels of football experience with injuries.

“You talk about elite athletes and the 10,000 hours mark to get to where they are. He has missed two or three years of everyday coaching and technically he is going to be behind. He’s still a lot do to physically because of missing 20 per cent of optimum learning time between the age of 15 and 20. There’s raw, exiting potential there and the two need to keep their feet on the floor.

“Don’t just do it once or twice, do it 15 times before you can call yourself a player.’’

Teenage striker Connor Simpson scored Pools’ third goal on Saturday. The 17-year-old gave a mature display and Harrison is happy to give young players a chance at Victoria Park.

He said: “Connor started up front and there was a temptation to start Rhys. I could have went with Devante and Ryan Donaldson wide, but Connor has done well in training and had some exposure last year. It’s something I’ve done at other club and if the player is good enough they will play.

“It’s proved that with Connor and Devante – who have played when opportunities have come along, I felt it was right to give them the opportunity.’’