Kennedy backed to step up

Ridehalgh’s loan deal was due to expire today but Di Canio opted to send the youngster back to West Yorkshire early after deciding not to pursue an extension until the end of the season.

That means Kennedy, who featured regularly at the start of the season before the arrival of Ridehalgh, will again have his chance to stake a claim for a first-team spot.

And, after witnessing his performance against Huddersfield last month, Di Canio has every confidence that Kennedy will do all that is asked of him.

“I did not want to extend Liam’s loan because I need a different attitude at this moment. He is not our player so I decided this way,” said the Town boss.

“We have Callum and though he has not been involved for a number of games I am not worried because his performance against Huddersfield was very good.

“I hope he can come back with the anger we need at the moment because he has a great opportunity, so for this I am not worried.”

Kennedy returns to the first-team fold at a time when Swindon have a congested fixture list, with the Robins playing six games throughout January.

“This is Callum’s chance to be a part of the squad who will play many games in a row,” added Di Canio.

“He has the chance to win something, go through in the JPT and go through in the FA Cup so this is a great opportunity.

“It does not mean that for sure he will play every game but he will play against Northampton and he can be a part of this side in a strong way for the rest of the season.”

Meanwhile, Di Canio is expected to make a decision in the coming days regarding the future of Jake Jervis, whose emergency loan ends today.

“If we want to keep him we are obliged to extend the loan until the end of the season or buy him because it is no longer an emergency loan,” said Di Canio.

“We will make a decision in the next two or three days. We are talking with Birmingham to see if there is a chance to keep him.”