IT WAS not the ideal start to a year that holds so much promise for Jon Tomkinson.

Giving away the penalty that ultimately decided City’s fate at Crewe made for a bit of a flat farewell for dad David’s five-game road trip from America.

But Tomkinson has shown enough in his current run in the team to suggest that he can play his part in the second half of the season.

Parent club Norwich are happy for him to stick around at Valley Parade and there was no thought of triggering the recall clause in his loan.

“He’s getting the experience they wanted him to get and JT is really enjoying it,” said Bantams boss Graham Alexander.

“Now he’s in the team, the challenge for him is to keep the shirt. He’s playing exceptionally well.”

The City fans are certainly warming to the centre half with chants of “USA, USA” following any challenge.

Tomkinson needs to be playing as he targets the Olympics in Paris at the end of July.

He has been on two training camps with the USA under-23s since joining the Bantams in the summer window with plenty of minutes under his belt.

Tomkinson featured for an hour against Mexico and then started against Japan in two warm-up games in Phoenix in October.

He then played the full games in friendlies the following month with Iraq and Morocco at the Pinatar Arena in Spain, where City went for their warm-weather training during pre-season.

For Tomkinson, mixing international football with the “bread and butter” of League Two is all about broadening his experiences.

“It’s completely different,” he said. “The first time around, I was on a seven-hour jetlag down in Phoenix playing against Mexico.

“You have the age restrictions again and the teams we played against for the most part were all footballing sides.

“But every game prepares you in different ways and makes you more well-rounded as a player.

“To be fair Mexico were quite direct as well but physically we were more dominant than them. It was nice to come out of that with a win too because of the rivalry.

“It’s a really proud feeling being able to represent your country and as well as that we’re building towards something huge. It’s an exciting time.”

Performing well in the American soccer team’s first appearance in the Olympics for 16 years would also give Tomkinson a step-up the ladder to potential involvement in the World Cup in two years’ time.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Jon Tomkinson dreams of playing in the next World CupJon Tomkinson dreams of playing in the next World Cup (Image: @USYNT)

The USA are co-hosting the 2026 competition with Canada and Mexico – and the Texan would love a piece of that.

Tomkinson added: “That’s a huge goal for me. That’s what you dream about.

“Obviously it’s a long way off but I do feel that if I can be successful here, that gives me a better chance to have those opportunities down the line.”

Monday was the first time the 21-year-old has tasted defeat in his eighth City game. But he can sense the change in mood around the club after the recent run of form.

“We’ve always stuck together as a team, even when things were difficult,” he added.

“We maybe just weren’t figuring out the solution to all of our problems, which is why we struggled.

“The atmosphere is definitely quite high right now. We’re winning lots of games, keeping more clean sheets and it feels that everything is starting to go right at the moment.

“I want to play every game for the rest of the season if I can.

“There’s always going to be times when you are in and out with injuries and stuff. But I want to do all I can to keep playing every week and at my best.”