PHIL Parkinson reckons Oliver McBurnie’s spell away from Valley Parade has done him a “world of good” after receiving a glowing report from Scotland under-19s.

McBurnie, currently on loan with Conference side Chester, was back training with the Bantams yesterday and Parkinson was delighted with the progress he has made.

He also had very positive feedback from Ricky Sbragia, the Scotland under-19s coach, after the striker’s recent international experience.

Parkinson said: “I’m really pleased. He spoke about everything we want from Olly, not just how he played but his attitude to training, his enthusiasm and professionalism.

“Everything we hoped for from him came back in that report from Scotland.

“Obviously Steve Burr at Chester has been saying the same and it’s done Olly the world of good. He looks a different person.

“The expectation being a local lad was huge when we threw him in. I feel it had a detrimental effect.

“He probably got built up too quickly and that can be a little bit damaging. It’s taken us a while to repair that.

“Fortunately for Olly he’s now going to finish a really good season for his development. He’s now where he should have been and has come back great.”

The lessons City learned with handling McBurnie have convinced them not to press youngsters into action for the sake of it over the final weeks of the season.

Both Reece Webb-Foster and Dylan Mottley-Henry have made sub outings recently but Parkinson feels starting them would be a step too far.

He said: “I’ll only play someone I feel is ready.

“Sometimes in this situation people want you to give young players a chance. But I’ve got to make sure I do the right thing by them.

“It’s very difficult because the lads have been playing at under-18 level in a league we dominate. It’s a big jump from there and it’s something we do need to look at.

“Reece isn’t ready yet to start a game and we exposed Ollie too early through injuries.

“We’ve given him experience on the bench but he’s still a first year and has got a lot of work to do. But he’s got potential.

“Dylan is still a young one – he’s only about a week off being a first-year scholar. He showed something off the bench but he’s got a lot of work to do as well.”