Scott Neilson’s stint on the Cambridge diet has left him hungry for another helping with City.

The winger is back in training with Peter Taylor’s side today after finishing a 14-game loan spell in his home city in the Blue Square Premier.

Neilson helped transform Cambridge United’s fortunes as they pulled clear from the relegation zone when he came in to finish tenth.

The 22-year-old, who scored three times, also restored his own confidence after being sent out by Peter Taylor to improve his fitness.

Neilson said: “It worked out really well for me. The team were one of the best in the league over the last two months and I enjoyed going into every game thinking we would win.

“When the gaffer asked me about the loan, I wasn’t sure at first but there was no point in me staying if I wasn’t in his plans. I know he wanted to bring some other players in.

“All I want to do is play first-team football and if it meant dropping down to get my confidence back and then coming back here, I was quite happy to do that.

“I got the chance to go home for a couple of months and see my friends and family and it was really good to be playing every week.”

With the Conference season finished, Taylor can take another look at Neilson in City’s final two games. His return is perfectly timed, with Omar Daley now banned following his Chesterfield red card.

“You don’t want to see anybody get sent off in the team but it just opens up a window and maybe I can get an opportunity,” said Neilson.

“I haven’t spoken to Peter Taylor yet and don’t know where I stand at the moment, so we’ll wait and see.”

The former Cambridge City winger has started 23 times since his move to Valley Parade in August but he admits the jump from semi-professional level had started to catch up with him.

Neilson said: “It’s been a little bit up and down this season but I wasn’t expecting to jump straight in like I did. I came off the bench once and then started the next 20 games.

“I was playing lots of games early on every Saturday and Tuesday and, just coming from non-league, it did have an effect on me. I think towards the end of it I lost a little bit of sharpness.

“But it’s gone well at Cambridge and hopefully I can carry it on straight into training for Bradford. I’ve signed a three-year deal here, so I’ve still got a while.”