Joe Brown will be thrust into the firing line against League One leaders Swansea tomorrow.

Colin Todd has handed the 17-year-old from Clayton his first senior start and is urging the Valley Parade crowd to get right behind him.

Brown, who has come off the bench in City's last three games, has already made his mark after scoring in the LDV Vans Trophy against Morecambe and Kidderminster.

And now Todd thinks the time is right to throw him in at the deep end against the high-flying Welshmen.

"It's a great opportunity for Joe," said the City boss. "He has had little spells of 20 minutes here and ten minutes there and deserves his chance.

"He will definitely play, either with Steve Claridge or Dean Windass, and I'm sure he will be fine.

"He's already shown that he has a knack of getting a goal and we know he will give us maximum effort. He's a local lad making his debut at home and I know the supporters will appreciate that."

City's options up front have been hit by a one-match ban for December player of the month Danny Cadamarteri after his yellow card at Chesterfield. And Andy Cooke is still sidelined by a calf injury.

But Todd is confident that the teenager can provide a much-needed spark to an attack which has not contributed a goal in open play since November - Brown's header at Aggborough.

He added: "Everybody gets nervous and Joe will be no different. Even people who have played many times still have butterflies before a game.

"The adrenaline will be flowing but there is absolutely no pressure on him. We want him to come in and enjoy the game and just see what he can do.

"It's a massive game and this is when you find out what people are made of. Who knows, it would be great if Joe could get a goal but I'm not putting any extra pressure on him to do that."

Swansea have not won away for two months since beating second-placed Southend. The 3-1 win over MK Dons at the Liberty Stadium on Tuesday ended a run of six games without a victory.

But City, who are 13 points off the top, are braced for a tough challenge as they look to build on picking up four points from the last two Valley Parade outings.

l City physio Steve Redmond has been given a one-match ban by the Football Association after being found guilty of using foul and abusive language against the fourth official at Southend.

Redmond will have to miss City's trip to Colchester on February 4.