JOSH Cullen wants to make a name for himself by helping restore City to the second tier of English football after a 12-year absence.

The West Ham teenager has been a key figure in their surge into the play-off places over the last two months.

Fellow Hammer Reece Burke was named the club's player of the year on Tuesday night and Cullen has been equally influential in his short time at Valley Parade.

City will clinch a play-off place this weekend with a win at Southend, Cullen's home town, or if Gillingham and Scunthorpe slip up.

"You think about what it would do for the club and the fans if we could get promoted to the Championship," said Cullen.

"It would be great to be known as the team that got the club back to somewhere near where they belong. It is a pressure that we're all looking forward to.

"I'm really enjoying it and relishing the challenge of playing in games that mean so much."

City have taken 26 points from the 13 games the classy midfielder has started since arriving on loan in mid-February.

As Cullen prepares to return to his Essex roots this weekend, the 19-year-old admits there is an extra anticipation surrounding the matches now as the promotion chase goes up a gear.

He said: "You can feel it before every game. Every week is a cup final.

"There's something on the line – it's not like we're coming to the end of the season with not much to play for. We know that every minute of every game is important.

"As a player, these are the games you want to be involved with. You don't want to be just playing when it doesn't really mean anything.

"Everything is on the line when you're out there. It's a great feeling as a player and you can feel a buzz from the changing room and the fans.

"There's expectation, rightly so, from the squad and the crowd. We know where we want to get to and it's down to us to deliver."

Cullen was back at Upton Park earlier in the week and played the whole game in West Ham's 1-0 win over Hull in the Under-21 Premier League Cup final. The second leg is at the KC Stadium on Wednesday.

"It's another great thing for the academy to get the success I think we've deserved and the work they've put in this season," said Cullen.

"But being here at Bradford and trying to get promoted is the main thing. It's going to be valuable for my career.

"If I do stay in the team for every game, it's going to be a hectic end to the season. But it's an experience that will stand me in good stead."