After finding himself out of the Bradford City first team for more than four months, Lee Todd admits to being slightly over enthusiastic before facing West Brom on his return last week.

However he gave an almost faultless performance at left back against the Baggies and is hoping this will herald a change of fortune.

Todd's last game before this week's clashes with Albion and Barnsley was back on the final day of October when he helped the Bantams sweep aside Bristol City 5-0.

Niggling injuries and the fine form of Wayne Jacobs subsequently kept Todd out of the City side. It took an injury to Peter Beagrie gave the defender, who celebrates his 27th birthday tomorrow, his chance.

He said: "I found out after training on Friday last week when the manager said it was resting on whether Beags would be fit. When he pulled me and said Beags wasn't fit, I thought 'Oh heck, I'm not going to be playing left wing am I?'

"I played that a few years ago but would probably be lost now so I was happy when he said Wayne was playing on the left flank. Saying that, I'd have hit the back stanchion of the goal with that shot if I had been in Wayne's position rather than deflecting it in off their man!

"It was nice to be back and I really enjoyed it because it has been a long time to be out. When the team is named and I am only a sub, I usually get changed and then go out and lash a few balls about rather than warm up.

"I have always been like that. But against West Brom I was ready to go out when I asked Hutch 'what time is it?' He said '2.10pm' and I couldn't believe it was so early. I was too eager.

"I just took my boots off and sat back down again. I'm not the sort who will say much, instead I prefer to chill out, listening to the radio. Everyone is different. Some stretch off, others sit there while some are laughing and joking. If I do talk, I would rather it isn't about football."

Todd joined City in a £250,000 deal from Southampton in the week leading up to the start of the season after just 12 months with the south coast club.

He made his name at Stockport County during a seven-and-a-half year spell during which he helped the side to two promotions and a Coca-Cola Cup semi-final appearance.

Todd, therefore, knows all about what qualities a side requires to gain promotion and believes City are in a strong position this season as they look to end their 77-year wait for a return to the top flight.

He said: "I think a target of about 84 points will probably see us clinch second place. Sunderland have to play a few of the top teams still so I would rather they won all of them to win the title.

"A lot of people say second place is worth nothing compared to winning the title, well we'll see if people still think that is the case if we are there in May and have won a place in the Premiership.

"I go to my mum and dad's up north quite a bit and everyone up there is saying Bradford have the easiest run-in. Of course this is on paper, but hopefully we can take advantage of it.

"We have 12 of the biggest games this club will ever face. The worst thing is if you lose a couple you slip down and people lose confidence. We have to keep winning."

Todd's spell in the Premiership with the Saints saw him visit all the best grounds in English football and that has left him hungry for more.

He said: "I was in and out of the side, a bit like now, but I enjoyed it. If I had been closer to home then I would possibly have stayed.

"It didn't work out as planned again when I arrived but now I'm back in the team I want to make the most of it.

"I was linked in the papers in Stockport with a move back there a couple of months ago but I have to say that since I left, I've been linked with a return a few times.

"It was good for seven and a half years but now I don't want to move anywhere because this club is going places and I want to be part of it."

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.