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Young Chelsea talent Omari Kellyman was withdrawn after just 35 minutes during his first outing for loan side Cardiff City on Tuesday evening.
Kellyman was included in the starting XI for the Vertu Trophy encounter at Exeter City as he attempts to reignite his career following injury setbacks. Cardiff manager Brian Barry-Murphy revealed the choice to substitute Kellyman so prematurely was a calculated decision made in advance, as he was keen to avoid any "risk" of overexerting him during his Bluebirds bow.
Cardiff supporters had been eager to see what the 19-year-old can offer, but questions were asked when he was taken off and replaced by academy midfielder Troy Perrett shortly after the half-hour mark.
The attacking midfielder suffered a nightmare maiden season at Chelsea last term after his £19m transfer from Aston Villa.
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Kellyman was hampered by two severe hamstring injuries, with the second necessitating surgery in March - leaving him without a competitive outing since then.
That altered when he was named in the starting team for Tuesday evening's Vertu Trophy opener. He showed flashes of neat ball retention and technique, providing him with a firm platform to build upon.
Fortunately for Barry-Murphy, the tactic of removing him early paid dividends, with Perrett alongside fellow youngsters Tanatswa Nyakuhwa and Dakarai Mafico delivering impressive displays during their senior appearances. "I want them to be really clear that these players, when they come into the dressing room, what it looks like and what's expected of them," Barry-Murphy said of the youngsters in the win over League One rivals Exeter.
"And I want the other members of the squad to show them that. Those players have responded really positively.
"Also Troy, coming on at such an early stage of the game, to make sure we didn't take any risks with Omari, was also very involved in the game.
"I think it's always important to remind ourselves that a competition like this can be overlooked, but it can give someone like Troy a first taste for playing for our club.
"To play in front of so many supporters at such an early stage in his career is exciting for him."
Perrett proved to be amongst the standout performers in the victory, playing for over an hour as reward for his excellent showings under Darren Purse's under-21s set-up.
The 18 year old midfielder has been at City since he was seven years old, with rumours surfacing several months ago suggesting a potential move to Aston Villa.
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