DAVID Hopkin has praised January recruit Jermaine Anderson for not grumbling about his lack of City game time up to now.

The former Peterborough midfielder is pressing for a bigger role in Saturday’s huge clash at Walsall after catching the eye as a sub.

Anderson came off the bench late on against Plymouth and nearly snatched a winner.

READ MORE: Anderson happy to front up for Bantams

It was only his second City appearance after signing a month ago on a short-term deal until the end of the season.

But Hopkin likes the way the 22-year-old has knuckled down to fight his way into contention rather than complaining at not being involved.

The Bantams boss said: “Jermaine has never moaned, he’s just got his head down and got on with it. That’s what has really impressed me about him.

“He’s looked at the intensity of how the lads train and has responded to it.

“He’s thought ‘I need to get where they are to be in the team.’

“He has responded really well and was unlucky not to score on Saturday with his chance.

“Jermaine is only 22, still a kid, but he’s played over 100 games. He’s got that experience and is hungry to do well.”

Anderson spent the first half of the season at Doncaster but started in only four of his 12 games. Hopkin knew it would take him a while to get up to the same fitness level as the rest of the squad.

He added: “Jermaine maybe didn’t play as much football at Doncaster towards the end and when he came in, everybody was playing well.

“I knew his potential. You can see he’s got a physical presence and a good touch – he’s a very good footballer.

“He gives us something different we don’t have so it was important to get him up to speed.

“He’s worked really hard in the month he’s been here – gym work, prehab, rehab, everything we do.

“He came in on a short-term deal and wants to do well. Every day in training he’s looked fitter and stronger.

“We had a chat a couple of weeks ago about things and he said he was desperate to stay and wants to play.

“I thought he deserved his chance to come on against Plymouth and made an impact on the game. I’m sure he can kick on now.”

Kelvin Mellor will also get another full week’s training after returning from two months out with a knee injury.

“It’s a fantastic boost to have him back,” said Hopkin.

“I was tempted to put him on against Plymouth but he’d only trained for 45 minutes on the Friday.

“But he will be with us all this week and will be in contention for this weekend.”