KENNY Cooper is being eased into the robust world of Championship football.

The American international joined on loan from German side 1860 Munich last week and featured as a substitute in the 1-0 weekend defeat to West Bromwich Albion.

It is a deliberate policy from Head Coach Paul Mariner to allow Cooper time to adjust to the pace of the game in England.

"We didn't want to throw him in at the deep end because this is not an easy league," said Mariner.

"Looking at it from television, you think it's not bad but, when you're down at pitch-level, it's different.

"There are robust challenges, and we saw quite a few of them on Saturday. Obviously for dirty tackles, you've got to send them off but I have no issue with robust play. It's part of the game and I see it going out of the game, which is unfortunate.

"He's going to be alright for us."