Sunderland managed to pick up a 1-1 draw with Millwall yesterday.
The youngster has impressed in recent weeks, and scored in Sunderland’s match against Middlesbrough two weekends’ ago.
However, Asoro started on the bench when Sunderland took on Millwall yesterday.
And Coleman admits that the Swedish-born forward was rested, as he didn’t want to risk him.
“Joel Asoro was injured against Middlesbrough,” Coleman said.
“He finished the game but he got a whack and he’s only trained once.
“And he’s only 18, we can’t keep relying on him week in, week out.
“He came on as a sub. Maybe if he was fully fit he might have started but I couldn’t risk him because we play Saturday, Tuesday.”
Asoro has been Sunderland’s brightest attacking threat of late, but without him they managed to pick up a credible point.
Bryan Oviedo gave Sunderland the lead at The Den, before a second-half goal from Millwall meant the points were shared.
The draw does little for Sunderland’s survival chances, with time running out for them to save themselves.
The Black Cats are currently sat at the bottom of the Championship table, and are four points adrift of safety.
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