Reading boss Mark Bowen admits letting Josh Barrett sign for Bristol Rovers "could come back and bite me".
The attacking midfielder joined the Gas on Tuesday on a two-and-a-half-year contract for an undisclosed fee as boss Ben Garner reshapes the squad he inherited from Graham Coughlan.
The Republic of Ireland under-21 international made his debut at the Mem against Stevenage in the EFL Trophy on Wednesday, catching the eye with some sweet passes and silky touches.
And Royals manager Bowen concedes letting the 21-year-old leave could cost him, and Barret "shine" in the blue and white quarters.
"I said to him he could go to a side like Bristol Rovers, shine and get a move somewhere else and come back and bite me," Bowen told Berkshire Live.
"I wished him well and I hope he does do that but at the moment there were not many opportunities to get him regular football in the team."
Barrett was seen as one of the top prospects at the Madejski Stadium, but made just 13 first-team appearances amid a high turnover of managers.
But Bowen dismissed claims the new Rovers playmaker did not get chances to force his way into the Reading team, adding Barrett needs to improve his play off the ball.
He said: "I would say he has (suffered from a lack of opportunities) because he played in the first team.
"When I came in maybe he didn't get one but it's not one of those where I pushed him out.
"I was considering him every day but I talked to him about his situation and I was saying it's the other side of his game which he has to get right.
"All the supporters can see his talent and I don't doubt that.
"When he was on the ball something could have happened.
"But I needed him to look at the other side of his game. He has to work on it and that will come in the future."
Get lots more news, opinion and transfer updates on our dedicated Bristol Rovers page and add a bookmark to find it quickly next time.
