RICHARD Agar believes teenage winger Reece Lyne is ready to handle the pressure of Hull's assault on the play-offs.

The 17-year-old is only in his first year as a professional, but has been thrust into the limelight in recent weeks.

Depleted numbers in Hull's back division has forced the Hull coach to give his rookie an extended first-team run.

Lyne has not looked out of place, especially when competing well against vastly-experienced Australian duo Chris Hicks and Matt King in Hull's defeat to Warrington.

And this stand-out display looks to have persuaded Agar to play his pacy prodigy in the play-offs.

"I thought he acquitted himself really well against quality opposition and we've no worries about asking him to do a job again," Agar told the Mail.

"Reece is handling things comfortably at the moment.

"Three years ago we went to Warrington and stopped off to pick up Tom Briscoe from school on the way to the game before giving him his Super League debut.

"This time, we had Reece on the wing, another 17-year-old, who found himself up against a massively experienced former international player.

"In times of adversity comes opportunity and I felt he acquitted himself extremely well in a high pressure game. That was a real positive for us."

Lyne made his debut in a televised clash at Salford in late March, but struggled defensively despite scoring a well-taken try.

But the young star was then forced to watch from the sidelines as ankle ligament damage put an end to any further hope of a run in the side.

Using the time out to work on his physical presence, Lyne returned for the victory at Harlequins on July 31 and has since kept his place.

With Mark Calderwood and Richard Whiting both ruled out for the season, Lyne is competing with out-of-contract Craig Hall for a wing position.

Growing in confidence and with a second Super League try to his name after his home debut against Crusaders, Agar says Lyne now looks much more at ease.

He added: "He doesn't mind carrying the ball and got himself into some good positions against Warrington which was pleasing to see.

"He is certainly one for the future and the Warrington game was probably the biggest match he has played so far."