FULL back Richard Eckersley has returned to Burnley at the end of his three-month loan spell with Bradford City.

The 21-year-old made 12 appearances for the Bantams after linking up with the League Two side in mid-November.

Eckersley, who has yet to start a league game since arriving at Turf Moor from Manchester United in a £500,000 move in the summer of 2009, finished last season on loan at Plymouth Argyle, where he played seven games.

Bradford City manager Peter Taylor told the Telegraph & Argus: “Richard has trained superbly every day.

“I think he’s going to be a good player in the future and I know Eddie (Howe) wants to see what he can do.”

Eckersley, whose only Burnley appearance this season came in the Carling Cup, believes he is now a more rounded right-back.

“I think I’ve developed as a player,” he said. “I needed a stretch of games to kick on and I’ve had that with Bradford.

“It’s so frustrating mentally and physically when you’re playing reserve football.

"You try to get a run of games and fitness but you only play once every two weeks if you’re lucky, and that’s not enough.

“Burnley realised that I just wanted to go out and play football and be part of a team.

“You get the ups and downs as a footballer and I’ve seen that. You’ve got to learn to deal with it.

“You learn that it’s all about the team and getting results for the team.

"You are cheering every goal that goes in and get upset when you lose.

“The more you play, the more you bond with your team-mates and that makes you a stronger player.”