JON Tomkinson has thrown his hat into the ring for a league chance, according to City boss Graham Alexander.

The American played the full game against Liverpool under-21s on Tuesday – only his second start since joining on loan from Norwich.

And the centre half’s performance caught the eye of Alexander, who is missing the suspended Ash Taylor against Salford this weekend.

Tomkinson has found match minutes hard to come by during his time at Valley Parade.

His only other start was also in the Bristol Street Motors Trophy against Manchester City’s youngsters in the group stage.

He also came off the bench for a late sub appearance against Grimsby in September.

 

 

The 21-year-old Texan has been involved internationally for the US Olympic team and played in the recent warm-up matches against Iraq and Morocco in Spain.

That ruled Tomkinson out of City’s final Trophy group game against Barnsley but he has been on the bench for the last two league fixtures – and Alexander certainly felt he took the chance on Tuesday.

The City boss said: “We’ve seen a little bit of him in training since he came back from America on international duty and I thought he acquitted himself really well.

“He had a part to play in the first goal. I thought his pace was good, his mobility, his use of the ball and his one v one defending.

“He took on the tactical aspect of playing in that back three. He’s a good young player, hungry to do well, so that’s good competition for that backline.”