Michael Bryan admits his five-month stint at Valley Parade taught him how to cope with the tougher side of the game.

The slightly-built winger, Peter Jackson’s final signing for City, is now back with today’s FA Cup opponents Watford after featuring sparingly on loan.

He played just nine times, starting five, and did not appear at all after the home defeat to Cheltenham on November 5.

But Bryan insists his spell in the north was still a useful part of his development.

He said: “It was a long five months and it probably didn’t go to plan as I wanted it to. But I think it’s done me good in the long run for my career.

“I know now what the difficult times in football are like. It’s not all pretty.

“That’s an important lesson and I would definitely encourage young players in my situation to go out on loan as quick as they can.

“You can only play so much youth and reserve-team football. Even the Premier reserve league is a lot different to playing in League Two.

“It was a valuable experience for me and something I think will help me in the future. I’m still relatively young and that can only help.”

Bryan was a victim of circumstance as Jackson resigned a fortnight after he was brought in. He had to wait a further two months before starting his first game for Phil Parkinson against Northampton.

He started three times under Parkinson but was subbed on the hour against Cheltenham and that was it.

Bryan said: “I didn’t play as much as I would have liked but it didn’t help that the manager changed so quickly. It’s always difficult when you’ve been brought in by someone and then they go.

“But it made me learn about a different side of professional football and I’m grateful for that.”

Bryan returned to training with Watford and expected to be quizzed on his former team-mates. But he doesn’t anticipate an immediate reunion on the pitch.

He said: “I’d love to be involved but I think it might be a bit too soon. I didn’t have my first training session back here until Thursday, although I’m sure the gaffer will ask me about all the lads.

“It will be funny seeing everyone again so soon but it gives me a chance to say a proper goodbye. I made a lot of friends at Bradford with the players and staff.”