CARETAKER boss Dave Byrne has urged Town fans to raise the decibel level for the visit of Carlisle United tomorrow, making most noise for teenage full-back Callum Kennedy.

The 19-year-old will run the League One gauntlet for the first time in his fledgling professional career, his only previous senior appearance coming against Brentford in last season’s Johnstone’s Paint Trophy.

Byrne insists Kennedy can become a permanent fixture in the Town starting line-up, and has asked the County Ground faithful to give the defender their unconditional backing.

“Our crowd can play a huge, huge part on Saturday,” said Byrne. “Please make sure you give Callum the applause he needs, even if he makes a mistake, which he will do.

“We need you to get behind the lads from first whistle, not just when the first goal goes in.

“Our away support is unbelievably loud, and if we can reproduce that kind of noise at home, it can make a massive difference.”

Kennedy has been drafted in to replace the suspended Michael Timlin, with summer signing Yinka Casal seemingly out of favour.

The cultured full-back earned a glowing reputation as part of Town’s successful FA Youth Cup side last season, but Byrne knows League One will be a huge step up in standard.

“The expectation doesn’t get much higher than this for Callum,” Byrne admitted.

“But the thing about Callum is, the harder the task the better he gets.

“This will be his biggest test to date, but I’ve got no worries about him coming in and doing a job.

“The boy has got a talent, which is the reason we put him on professional forms.

“He’s been waiting for his chance, and it’s here.

“He wants to be the best, and he wants to learn. We just have to throw him in now and see how he does.”