FINN Cousin-Dawson will benefit from a spell out of the City team, according to Mark Trueman.

The youngster was dropped from the back four for Tuesday’s abandoned game at Scunthorpe.

That ended a run of nine consecutive starts for the 18-year-old since Trueman and Conor Sellars took charge in December.

Cousin-Dawson, who had previously played only two full league games, was replaced at right back by Anthony O’Connor and he was named on the bench.

But Trueman insists a spell out of the firing line will do him good.

The interim boss said: “Finn has played a lot of games. He’s a young footballer, only just 18, so he’s done really well for us in that right-back position.

“It’s as much about mental as physical fatigue for him because he has played so much in a busy period.

“He’s gone from playing a few games or being a part in games to having a consistent run in the team. That’s only going to benefit him and his progress.

“It’s been great for Finn and his development. He’s shown the qualities that he has got.”

The Stockton-born defender’s progress was rewarded last month when he signed an improved long-term deal to tie him to Valley Parade until the summer of 2024.

Trueman and Sellars worked closely with Cousin-Dawson in the club’s academy and have not been surprised by how well he has stepped up.

“Finn’s repaying the confidence we have in him,” added Trueman. “We’ve worked with him for two or three years and know what he is about.

“He’s got that character where he will defend the box with everything as well as the change of pace.

“Trust is key in football. We trust Finn and he does us.

“It’s important we know the characteristics of these younger players within the academy. They brought five through last year and there are some good players.

“It’s all a positive in terms of what’s below us and who’s coming through, which hasn’t happened in years gone by.”

Cousin-Dawson produced his best display in the last home game against Barrow but struggled in the weekend loss to Exeter. He was subbed midway through the second half when O’Connor was moved into his role.

Trueman added: “He learned a lot from the Exeter game as well as from playing so often in such a short space.

“It gives him time to reflect now on what he has achieved and refocus and push to get back into the team.

“It’s been great for Finn but obviously there is real competition for places.

“Ant has gone out to right back and he’s done well so there was no need to make a change from the back four that had finished the last game.

“We thought we did okay when we’d made the change with Ant at right back and kept with it.”

The abandonment adds to the fixture congestion for the Bantams, who already face playing in the next four midweeks.

Their third attempt to play at Glanford Park will not be able to take place until mid-March at the earliest.