PHIL Parkinson has paid tribute to James Meredith as rookie Greg Leigh prepares to deputise for the Australia star in today's visit of Crewe.

Meredith was in dreamland after making his long-awaited debut for the Socceroos in their 3-0 World Cup qualifying win over Kyrgyzstan on Thursday.

A number of Meredith’s family flew into Canberra for the game as the Bantams left back gave an outstanding display.

The 27-year-old has proved a resounding success since Parkinson brought him to Valley Parade from York City in June 2012.

Parkinson said: “I’m really pleased for James because making his Australia debut was a very proud moment for him and his family.

“He came to us a few years ago and there has been a lot to work with in terms of a player with raw talent.

“He has really applied himself as time has gone on and he has got better and better as a professional and as an athlete.

“He’s got his rewards for that. I said last time he got called up that he was overdue an Australia cap because he’s a terrific player and a good character as well.

“He really is committed to this football club and he’s a confident lad who drives the team on.”

Meredith played the full 90 minutes in Canberra as the Socceroos closed the gap on group leaders Jordan to just one point ahead of Tuesday’s clash with Bangladesh in Dhaka.

Meredith said: “My family flew from Melbourne for the game. I hadn’t seen them in 18 months and it was really lovely to see them and get the win.

“It was a surprise but a nice surprise getting selected in the team. I’m just really happy I put in a good display and I’m really happy for the team as well.

“I gave my jersey to my cousin after the game. He flew out after work, it was a last minute thing…it was so good to see my family and they were ecstatic for me.”

Reflecting on his performance, Meredith added: “I just wanted to try and impress and create some opportunities for the team. I really wanted the win.

“It’s very different to the style of football in England. The quality of football is a lot better in terms of keeping it moving.

“The fitness was very different. I found myself blowing a lot more than I usually do. It’s a different sort of physicality but I was really pleased how things went.”

With Meredith absent for today's visit of Crewe and Wednesday's FA Cup first-round replay against Aldershot, Leigh is set to be handed a chance to shine at left back.

The 21-year-old’s only appearance for City so far came in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy defeat to Barnsley following his summer arrival from Manchester City.

He spent last season on loan at Crewe and Parkinson said: “Greg has been training really well and we signed him because we think he’s got huge potential.

“He played 40-odd games for Crewe last season and he had a good year.

“It’s good to have a hungry young player backing up James Meredith.

“Greg has an opportunity now and he has to put a marker down, like he did against Barnsley, with a performance that says ‘I want that first-team shirt’. It’s great to have that competition."

Parkinson was keen to have today's match postponed but City were prevented from doing so despite having three players away on international duty.

Meredith is away with Australia, while fellow defender Reece Burke and midfielder Lee Evans are away with the England Under-20s and Wales Under-21s squads respectively.

Christopher Routis has returned to training after a calf injury and also comes into contention.

Parkinson is seeking an improvement from last Sunday's goalless draw at Aldershot.

He added: “I felt against Aldershot in the first half that we let our standards drop and the lads knew that.

“As we were walking in at half-time, they were saying it themselves because they’re an honest group of players.

“We didn’t have the same intensity in our play and we can talk about factors such as the pitch and the wind.

“But equally, we have sat down with the lads this week and looked at the game and have said it has got to be a warning for us.

“If you let your standards drop, you can look a very ordinary team very quickly. We’re on a good run but we need the crowd to get right behind the team and do everything they can to help us get the result.”