Given all the current problems surrounding Leeds, Ben Parker is in the best place possible.

Not only is the young left back eagerly learning his craft at Valley Parade, he must also be relieved to be well clear of the trials and tribulations at his main club.

Parker is a City player until at least January 1, when they will have the option on whether to extend the loan, and he is happy to focus all his attentions on his current employers.

"I'm really enjoying it here," he said. "I'm just grateful to Bradford to be given the opportunity to play a few games and I'm sure it has helped me.

"It's so much better than playing for the reserves at Leeds. You can't beat the experience of being involved week in, week out in the first team and I feel I'm learning all the time.

"I know Leeds are checking up on me. They've come down to watch a few games to see how I'm doing and hopefully they are getting good reports.

"I've been surprised by the standard of League One and impressed with the way we've started. But we know we can still push on from that and hopefully start moving towards the top of the table again."

Tomorrow's visitors Port Vale are currently flying high in third - four points ahead of City - but Parker said: "We've got to be looking to beat teams like that who are up there. That's the standard we have set ourselves this season.

"I think we've been playing better than the recent results have suggested. We've been a bit unlucky because the games could have gone either way but it was good that we got something on Tuesday."

Parker was back in the side against Carlisle after Colin Todd pushed Alan Rogers into midfield to cover for the injured Lee Holmes. The youngster has shared the left-back duties with the former Nottingham Forest man and is enjoying the battle.

"It's good competition because it keeps both of us on our toes. But whoever plays, we wish each other good luck and there are no hard feelings.

"It was good to be back in the side but it was a strange game. We did well first half and had the chances to be two or three up but then they came out firing and we struggled to get going again."

One of those near-misses before the break came from Parker after a rare burst into the opposition penalty area.

He laughed: "I got a bit of a nosebleed when I got there because I'm not used to being that far up the pitch. I didn't really expect the ball to fall for me so I just stuck a leg out but it was pretty close.

"The keeper was going the wrong way - I think I gave him the eyes and confused him - but unfortunately somebody got a little block on the ball which just put it wide of the post."