Colin Todd has put his faith in budding youngster Simon Ainge.

The City boss was due to hand Ainge his full first-team debut against Crewe this afternoon.

The 18-year-old centre half is thrust into the FA Cup spotlight after injuries to Richard Edghill and Ben Parker forced a defensive re-think.

However, Todd reckons the Shipley-born teenager - a product of the club's Academy system - will more than handle the pressure at Valley Parade.

"I'm looking forward to seeing him have a good performance, which I'm sure he will do," he said.

"And it's good to see the football club having another lad coming through.

"Simon's earned the right to have a go and has seen the likes of Joe Colbeck and Joe Brown get a shot.

"Now it's his turn and I have no hesitation in putting him in."

Ainge is a former Thornton Grammar School pupil who has progressed through the youth team ranks at City to earn first-year professional terms.

With Todd having allowed centre half Matt Clarke to head out to Darlington on loan, and Mark Bower switching to left back, the rookie gets the nod alongside seasoned campaigner David Wetherall.

The duo linked up last week when Ainge came on as substitute against Brighton for his League debut, where he looked calm and composed at the back.

"Simon has high belief in himself and plenty of aggression," Todd added.

"He will fulfil the confidence he has in himself. He's a very confident young man and he showed that by doing all right for us when he came on last week."

Meanwhile, City hope to tie up a loan deal for a Championship winger next week to ease their current injury crisis.