Bradford City's meteoric rise up the First Division table in recent months has surprised many people in football, but Ashley West-wood is not one of them.

Despite a huge outlay of £3.3 million during the summer, City suffered a disappointing start to the season and after seven games they had just five points.

This left them just one place above the relegation zone with serious questions being asked of manager Paul Jewell.

However the Bantams have now put together a run of just three defeats in 22 league games as they take a break from First Division action with their visit to Newcastle in the FA Cup fourth round.

Westwood joined City for a bargain £150,000 from Crewe and has suffered a frustrating time with injuries.

That has meant he has spent a lot of time on the sidelines and during that time he has been impressed by what he has seen.

He said: "The team have been playing really well and I am just glad that I have now got a place in the side which will hopefully let me put the first half of the season behind me.

"I am not surprised by how well we have done since I came to the club because I always knew the manager had big plans for Bradford City. It has all been going well and now I am in the side I want to help maintain that success.

"The best thing from a player's point of view is that the work in training has been tremendous.

"The important thing is we don't start taking the success for granted. We must make sure we work hard to keep our run going.

"All I want to do now is work harder and try to build on playing in the last two games. Grabbing a goal in the win over Palace was very pleasing and I just want to do more."

Westwood's injury problems must have been just as frustrating for Jewell because he was brought in to bolster the City defence.

The 22-year-old impressed on his debut in the friendly at Farsley Celtic with an accomplished display at right back.

Unfortunately, injury soon struck and when he finally made his first league appearance at Crewe in late August, a dreadful tackle by Rodney Jack saw him leave Gresty Road on crutches.

This spell on the sidelines ended with his return Tranmere when he put in another impressive display only for the injury jinx to strike again the following Saturday when Swindon's Iffy Onuora landed on the City defender's ankle.

And then after returning to fitness in December, Westwood was confined to the substitutes bench due to the good form shown by Andy O'Brien.

However the teenager's unfortunate red card against Grimsby Town in the FA Cup third round gave Westwood his chance and he has taken it with both hands against Crewe and Crystal Palace.

He said: "Andy O'Brien is a good player and that means it was very hard for me to get back in the side despite being fit for the last few weeks.

"The gaffer is very fair in that if a player does well then he stays in the side and he won't change it. That is a great feeling for a player.

"It was great to get a result against Crewe. The main thing now is that we have a break of ten days from the pressures of the league.

"It has been a very frustrating time for me. But it is great to be involved again. I know we have won nothing yet but everyone is working so hard to ensure we can be successful."

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