His most creditable appearance for Leeds United's senior team was made at Darlington's stadium, and it is on account of his extended loan with the club last season that Parker has been afforded an equal opportunity to jostle for position at Elland Road this month.

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Sent north to County Durham in February, the missive handed to Parker by Gary McAllister asked him simply to return with first-team appearances under his belt and his reputation enhanced. The proof of the full-back's success has been made clear by his close involvement in United's summer schedule of pre-season friendlies.

Parker made 13 appearances for Darlington during the final throes of last season, contributing to a League Two term which took the club to the play-off semi-finals. Sidelined by injury for the second leg, he could only watch as Dave Penney's team were eliminated by Rochdale via a penalty shoot-out.

The incentive for Parker in accepting the loan was the promise from McAllister that he would be given a fair chance to compete for similar involvement at Elland Road this summer, and the left-back position which the 20-year-old covets will hold his attention during tonight's friendly between Leeds and Darlington and the Darlington Arena.

The competition for that particular position is as fierce as McAllister would want it. Alan Sheehan is a ready-made candidate for the job, and Bradley Johnson is a more makeshift alternative with the long-term potential – in the eyes of United's manager – to occupy that role proficiently.

"I'm not the only player who wants to be the main left-back next season but my biggest objective has always been to establish myself as a first-choice player," Parker said.

"I was told when I went to Darlington that if my loan was successful I'd have the chance to challenge for a first-team place during pre-season, and the manager's been as good as his word. It's not always easy to leave the club you want to play for, but you have to look at the bigger picture.

"The one thing I've always tried to be is patient, and if I'd spat my dummy out last season and said I wanted to stay at Leeds then I'd have been acting like a spoiled child. I'm only young and you won't get anywhere if you don't listen to advice from people who have been there and done it before you.

"When you're my age you want everything to happen quickly, but players develop in their own time.

"I've had loans with Darlington and Bradford City, and I gained a lot from those. I've also played a few games for Leeds already.