The Egyptian striker has been mainly used as a substitute since joining Ajax on a season-long loan from English second-division side Middlesbrough in the close season.

He was hoping that the departure of former Ajax boss Martin Jol would give him a new lease of life but he was still left out of the starting line up for the 1-0 victory over Vitesse last weekend.

"In my opinion, Mido is not ready for a whole match," De Boer was quoted as saying by Dutch media.

Despite not playing on a regular basis, the former Tottenham Hotspur man has managed to score three goals in all competitions so far this term.

He said recently that he contemplated leaving Ajax but changed his mind after De Boer told him he would play a bigger role with the team.

"Mido works hard. He played a whole game for Ajax's reserves and this is positive," De Boer added.

"But it is too early to give him a regular place in the first team."