STUART McCall will not allow City to lose any focus after their early charge into League One's top six.

The Bantams have been beaten only once in the opening eight games and are starting to string together some strong displays.

Romain Vincelot's third goal in as many outings at the weekend kept them five points off surprise pace-setters Shrewsbury.

McCall is pleased with the upturn in the team's performance level and maintains there will be no taking a step back.

"Never, ever think you've done it because you're on a good run," he said.

"If anything, that's when you're probably working harder and keep drilling in the things that are getting us a little bit of success at the minute.

"We know why we weren't exactly on it at first but getting a couple of people back in the team helps.

"You don't want to get carried away but it's something to build on.

"We looked back on a couple of things that worked for us on Saturday. The goal was a prime example.

"Chicks (Adam Chicksen) whips in a great ball and the other full back is at the other side returning it again.

"Romain goes for the first header but just misses it. Then he's up and gets the second cross."

City have responded with four wins and a draw since blowing that three-goal lead at Walsall, a run that has coincided with the return of Vincelot from suspension.

"We're quite strong physically down the middle of the pitch now, with good experience in there as well," said McCall.

"The two centre halves are playing well, Reevesy (Jake Reeves) has been terrific since he came on board with us and obviously we've got Charlie (Wyke) back.

"Romain is chipping in with the goals that we knew he could do.

"We don't put the reins on them. Occasionally we might ask Romain to do a (defensive) job but they have the experience between them.

"And if Lawsy (Nicky Law) goes deep to get on the ball, then the other two can get up as well.

"They've been working it well but it's something we've got to continue."

Timothee Dieng will soon add competition in that department after stepping up his recovery from a torn calf that has kept him out for the last six games.

The Frenchman has started jogging on the grass again at Apperley Bridge but McCall will not hurry him back.

"There are no definite plans for Tim to be involved with us yet," said the Bantams boss.

"We'll see how he progresses the next few days jogging at a pace. He then needs to up that and get to full sprint.

"I don't think he'll be with us before next week but he's working outside with the physio now. That's the next step up from the treadmill."

McCall organised a training-ground game within the squad yesterday after Newcastle pulled out of a proposed closed-doors match.

With a more settled senior side, he wants to keep the likes of Alex Jones, Shay McCartan and Paul Taylor match fit.

"There's a feel-good factor in the dressing room but the ones who are not playing are just as important," he said.

"We can't just have a team. We need the whole group and some of them haven't played for a while.

"We've got to make sure morale-wise, confidence-wise and fitness-wise that we are working them as well."