Connor Ripley today told Phil Parkinson: I’d bite your hand off to stick around with City.

The Middlesbrough goalkeeper’s current short-term loan runs until the end of the month.

But Ripley, who got his first outing in Monday’s friendly win at Park Avenue, has made it very clear that he would jump at the possibility of extending it through the season.

Ripley said: “I’d have no problems if the manager wants to do that. I really love it here.

“I’ve talked to my dad (former England winger Stuart) about it and people I’m close to and said how brilliant these lads have been. They have made me feel so welcome and comfortable already.

“We don’t try and show off as players, everyone works for each other. We have the grafters as well as the people who score the goals and come together like a big Bradford family.

“This club are on the up and I wouldn’t put it past us getting promoted.

“So if the manager came to me and said ‘Rippers, we want you to stay’ and Middlesbrough were happy, then I’d bite his hand off.”

Under-20 international Ripley only signed on the opening day of the season as back-up to Jon McLaughlin but he has been on the Valley Parade radar for a while.

Colin Cooper tried to sign the youngster during his brief stint on the coaching staff two years ago.

Aberdeen were linked with him in the summer but Ripley is convinced he has made the right move in his long-term bid to become the senior stopper for Boro.

He added: “I don’t feel like it’s a step down. Coming from the under-21s at Middlesbrough I’m actually stepping up to the plate with the big lads, big games and big crowds.

“I’m just hoping to get a few games under my belt and get that experience to go back to Boro and compete to be first choice. That’s my aim.

“I’m upset I haven’t played a game yet but I do feel I’ve been training well.

“I wanted to play against Huddersfield but the gaffer chose not to (pick me) which, in his defence, was probably the right decision.

“But I’ve got the Park Avenue match over and done with now and a first clean sheet so I’ve started off with a bang.

“Football’s a weird game and anything can happen. I don’t want to jinx Jono but he might get injured next week and I’m suddenly in the team.

“This is such a big club. I’ve talked to my dad many times about playing against Bradford and he said they were always one of the hardest games.

“The fans are unbelievable. I thought Middlesbrough fans are mad but they are crazy.”