EVERTON’S teenage star Jack Rodwell will be treated just like Wayne Rooney was by Goodison Park manager David Moyes.

Moyes, who introduced Rooney to the top flight at just 16, yesterday saw Rodwell – 18 next month – sign a new five-year contract at the club.

Rodwell also made his Everton debut last season as a 16 year-old and Moyes will use the same softly-softly technique with the Birkdale-born player to keep him away from the public eye while managing his young career carefully.

Rodwell can expect to be frequently taken out of the firing line, just like Rooney was before his record-breaking transfer to Manchester United.

Rodwell shot into the spotlight at the weekend with his first senior goal in the 3-1 FA Cup victory over Aston Villa.

The nephew of former Blackpool winger Tony Rodwell, Everton’s young midfielder stole the show, with Dan Gosling, another teenager from the club’s academy, also impressing.

Moyes said yesterday: “We will never speak too much about them. We would never build them up before it is time and certainly do not allow them to believe any hype.

“But Jack is a good kid, and he is like Dan in that he has got his feet on the ground. We will be keeping a close eye on both of them to make sure they develop as we want them to.”