Everton manager David Moyes has told James Vaughan he may have to bide his time.
Vaughan has been plagued by injuries since his emergence in April 2005 and has not been able to establish himself in the Everton starting line-up.
He was impressive as a second-half substitute in the 1-0 victory over Reading, but Moyes admits that does not guarantee him a place in the line-up for the UEFA Cup match against SK Brann on Thursday.
"He has missed a lot of football and, even this season, he missed the first three months with a dislocated shoulder," Moyes said.
"He needs to be a little bit patient. Centre-forward is probably the hardest position on the pitch
and when you are 19 and getting in the squads you should be pleased with that.
teach him
"What James has is that infectious attitude, enthusiasm, aggression and now we need to teach him a bit more about the game. If we do that, then he has a good future."
Vaughan and fellow teenager Victor Anichebe have found their path to the Everton side blocked by the likes of Andy Johnson and Yakubu Aiyegbeni, and Moyes accepts that it has become harder to integrate the young players.
He explained: "We have said to James Vaughan and Victor Anichebe that the standard is stepping up here and you have to step up with it.
"Both of them have to do that because the club is changing. It is a balancing act for me and it can be difficult."
