Joe Colbeck is determined to convince Stuart McCall he is worth a second chance.

The young winger admitted his head dropped after being told he was not in the Valley Parade picture earlier in the season.

But Colbeck's confidence is "flying" again after a successful loan spell with Darlington and he is ready to prove his worth in City colours.

Colbeck said: "It is really hard to keep going and doing well in training when you're not in the team. Your confidence is low, which makes it harder to get your place back.

"But going somewhere like Darlington and knowing that I was going to be playing was a real boost, especially when I started doing well.

"I was going up there to try my hardest and show Stuart McCall that I'm good enough to be in Bradford City's first team and I think I did. I want to be in the side and hopefully he brought me back so I could do that."

Colbeck made his first City start since September against Chesterfield recently and is expected to stay in the line-up for tomorrow's trip to Peterborough.

The 21-year-old credits his change in fortunes to his time out on loan - and believes McCall, who recalled him from the north-east a fortnight early, has got a stronger player for it.

Colbeck said: "It was a bit weird going to a club that was higher up in the league. I think I was lucky in that case and I really enjoyed myself.

"The gaffer had told me to get some games under my belt and it was a very good experience. My confidence is flying at the moment after doing well for a different club and I've definitely come back here with a bit more belief.

"If I hadn't done well at Darlington I wouldn't be in the gaffer's plans. I think I've shown him that I'm capable of playing in this team.

"Now I've got to keep proving that and concentrating on getting a lot more games under my belt."

One area of Colbeck's game that has perked up is goal-scoring - he netted twice for the Quakers to add to the City winner he fired at Lincoln.

He said: "I came back and told the other lads that hopefully I'll be able to get ten now! I think that might be pushing the boat out but we'll see.

"I feel I've got a few goals in myself and it's a winger's job to chip in as well. I'll leave it mainly to the strikers but it would be good if I could get a couple more and I know I can."

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