Keith Treacy is concerned that senior caps may end up arriving "too early" in the nascent careers of some of the Republic of Ireland newcomers included in the squad to face Qatar and Canada.
On Thursday, the Boys in Green will face Qatar in an international friendly at Aviva Stadium, live on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player.
Following the Grenada friendly in Murcia earlier this month, in which Heimir Hallgrimsson blooded a number of new faces to good effect, the upcoming friendlies offer another opportunity to widen the pool of players.
Four League of Ireland players have been called up, although Bohemians captain Dawson Devoy will not link up with the squad until after the Qatar game.
But 18-year-old Shamrock Rovers winger Adam Brennan is in after impressing in the SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division, following his winter move from second tier UCD.
Tottenham Hotspur striker Mason Melia and Benfica winger Jaden Umeh - the latter was originally picked for the Murcia camp before being recalled by his club - are also in line to win their first caps.
As of yet, neither of the 18-year-olds have played senior football for their current clubs, although Melia gained significant game-time for St Patrick's Athletic, making 76 league appearances and scoring 21 goals.
Speaking on the RTÉ Soccer Podcast, ex-Ireland winger Treacy emphasised the trio's potential but feels it may be better to wait before fast-tracking them to full senior international status.
"Ultimately, I think it's too early for Adam Brennan, I think it's too early for Mason Melia and Jaden Umeh would be absolutely the same," he said.
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"Am I excited by these boys? Of course I am. But a huge fire went out with me when I played my first game (for Ireland) - I'm not talking about the Argentina game, I'm talking about when you start getting into squads more and more - and you get that first cap and you walk into your club and you have that respect of being a full Ireland international.
"But do we really want Adam Brennan after 16 top flight games to be telling people he's a full Irish international - and I'm not having a go at the lad by the way - but I think there's a bar that has to be met.
"You can't do OK in 16 games in the Premier Division of Ireland and think 'I can be an Ireland international now'.
"Mason Melia has played three under-21 games for Tottenham and he could be a full Irish international.
"Jaden Umeh's last game was for Benfica under-19s - could be a full Irish international - and again I'm not having a pop at the lads.
"It's brilliant that they're in there and if they get a cap, absolutely brilliant."
Melia officially made his previously agreed Tottenham move in January and has had the opportunity to train with Roberto De Zerbi's senior team prior to them sealing their survival in the Premier League on Sunday.
Having arrived in north London with a back injury, he eventually made an immediate impact when he scored on his debut for Spurs' under-21s in early April.
Treacy, who coached the Wicklow native at underage level for St Pat's, said this coming fortnight could influence his short-term future at club level.
"I think it's massive. I think Tottenham will be looking at this Ireland window and having a look to see how Mason fares at this level," he said.
"Again, Qatar won't be the best opposition but it will be a step up for Mason and although it is an international friendly, it's still a step up from under-23s football or reserves football.
"Mason is a brilliant footballer. When he first left St Pat's he was struggling with a back injury.
"Thankfully, he's put that behind him now and the handful of games he's played at that level, he looks comfortable and he looks like he can adapt at that level.
"Would it have been better for him on an individual level if Spurs had went down? Possibly but Spurs are a global club. They will always attract big superstar players whatever league they're in because of the stadium, finances etc.
"So Mason has his hands full to break into that team. If he goes and plays well for Ireland over these two friendlies and gets capped and possibly (scores) a goal, it will open doors.
"Maybe he'll get a loan move somewhere in League One, the Championship and he will have to cut his teeth there.
"But Mason has everything, he has absolutely everything. I was lucky enough to have him with the (St Patrick's Athletic) 17s, him and Michael Noonan at the same time.
"Very good players and they can do whatever they like. They've got all the tools in the tool box.
"But there's an awful lot of hurdles in the way at that age. There's a lot of stuff that can still come into play.
"So while I'm excited by the vast majority of these young kids, they still are young kids."
Watch Republic of Ireland v Qatar on Thursday from 7.30pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player. Follow our live blog on RTÉ.ie/sport and RTÉ News app
Watch the Champions League final, PSG v Arsenal, on Saturday from 4pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player. Follow our live blog on RTÉ.ie/sport and RTÉ News app
