Keane said: "I have said many times before, he is a young man and we cannot expect too much, too soon from him.
"We are all in danger of that, especially when players come to Sunderland. We think, 'Come on, go and produce'.But he is learning his trade and a few games in the reserves will do him no harm.
"And if he had to go out and get some other games at a Championship club or League One club, I don't think it would do him any harm."