CALLUM Kennedy is hoping he has done enough to hold onto his place in Paolo Di Canio’s first team for the rest of the season.

The left back returned to the starting line-up for Tuesday night’s defeat at Aldershot having not been involved since the 2-0 loss at Crewe on March 17, but performed well both in defence and attack despite the team being far from its best.

The 23-year-old replaced Jay McEveley for the game as Di Canio made changes following the well documented events of Saturday night, and although the on-loan Barnsley player has since apologised for his behaviour, Kennedy is hopeful of keeping him out the team for tomorrow’s game with former loan club Gillingham.

“It was a little while since my last game, so it was great to be involved,” he said.

“I suppose it was a little bit unexpected in the end, but you have to take your chances when they come because you don’t know when another one is going to come along.

“It was good to be back, and that is all I want to do because I love playing football.

“I want to play as many games as I can, and hopefully the manager will give me another chance.

“It is obviously up to him who plays, but I am ready and prepared if I am selected.”

Kennedy was happy with the way he played at the EBB Stadium, but insisted there were lessons Town needed to learn from their 2-1 defeat.

“Obviously the result didn’t go our way, but I felt reasonably pleased with my performance,” he said.

“Towards the end I was getting tired because I hadn’t played in a while, and even got a bit of cramp, but it was ok.”