RICCARDO Calder is fully embracing his second chance.

But he realises just how lucky he is to get it.

Jailed in November last year after being found guilty of assaulting a 24-year-old woman following a minor car accident, he was released 10 weeks into his nine-month sentence.

Despite being sacked by his then club, Inverness Caledonian Thistle, Bradford (Park Avenue) interim manager Marcus Law, who already knew Calder, came to his rescue, offering him a footballing lifeline.

Now midfielder Calder, 23, wants to concentrate on climbing up the football ladder after previous stints with Lincoln City, Doncaster Rovers and a loan spell at Dundee. He has also played on the international stage, winning four caps for England's Under-17s in 2012.

Since his move to Avenue last month Calder has provided a much-needed sprinkle of class for a struggling young side.

He said: "I've just come back to play football, trying to do my best.

"I just want to forget about it all. I'm here and I'm here to impress.

"It's going great. I'm enjoying being back in with the lads. I'm wanting to wrack up more goals and more assists. I want to get more done.

"I'm loving playing football again. I've just got to show what I can do. I'm looking forward now.

"Every team I've played for, I have always given 100 per cent. I have to do better than everyone else.

"We will take it stage by stage. If I can perform, I will get the chance to show exactly what I can do."

Despite being second-from-bottom in Vanarama National League North, Calder says promotion this season is not out of the question for Avenue, his sixth club in his five-year senior career so far.

He added: "Starting off, a lot of teams, not just us, have had a bad start. I feel like Lee (Fowler, Avenue assistant manager) and Marcus can turn things around.

"I know Marcus Law, the manager spoke with my agent. I played in a game against Doncaster and scored in that. Then the deal got done.

"At the minute, I'm at Bradford. I want to go as far as I can with this club.

"I want to get promoted at Bradford. It's a lot to ask at the minute. They have given me that platform. They understand what I've been through. They have taken me in. I want to give back to them. I'm looking forward to it, everyone is buzzing.

"We can improve and get in our stride and win three or four games in a row, the table can change again. We are staying focused, taking every game as it comes."

The former Aston Villa academy product, who joined them aged nine but failed to make a first-team appearance for the Premier League side, has taken inspiration from one of his youth team-mates at the club who has recovered from off-field problems to make a name for himself.

Calder cites Jack Grealish as a role model in his footballing comeback. In April 2015, fellow Brummie Grealish was warned by then-Villa manager Tim Sherwood after a national newspaper published images showing him allegedly inhaling nitrous oxide for recreational purposes.

But promotion to the top flight later, the winger has not looked back since and is now the captain of his beloved team.

Calder said: "I've always supported the Villa. Jack Grealish, I played with him. He is a good lad. He has turned things around after what he went through.

"He's someone I've been beside growing up as a young lad. I do look up to him, I respect him. He is captain of Villa now. Seeing his journey is inspiring."