Bryce Hosannah backing Leeds United experience to help him take Bradford City leap

Bryce Hosannah believes the pressure of working with Leeds United's senior side under Marcelo Bielsa can help him take the next step in his career.

The 21-year-old full-back has joined League Two side Bradford City on a season-long loan deal from the Whites.

Hosannah is taking his opening steps into senior football with the Bantams, having yet to make a competitive first team appearance at Elland Road after joining the club from Crystal Palace in 2017.

The YEP understands that the defender - whose contract runs out next summer - has been offered a new deal in LS11.

Hosannah has played a key role in the club's Under-23s success in recent seasons and has spent time training with Bielsa's senior players behind closed doors.

The defender was included in the Argentine's squad for the pre-season tour of Australia last year, with both parties opting against a loan switch afterwards.

Stuart McCall, though, has won the race to land his services for the season ahead and Hosannah believes his experience with Leeds can only benefit him at Valley Parade.

"It's very competitive," Hosannah told BBC Radio Leeds of United's development ranks.

"If you look at the 23s over the last few years since Bielsa has come he has only tried to strengthen it. The competition that the first team needs to have in training comes from us during the week.

"We need to be strong to push them to be able to perform at the levels that they do at the weekend.

"For that reason, over the last few years they have been a bit reluctant to send people out on loan.

"People that they see a future for they've wanted to keep around to try to push into the first team, or use them through the week.

"Now the Premier League brings a lot more money, so they've strengthened in all areas - maybe they've been a bit more open [to loaning players out].

"I know a few of my team-mates have gone out on loan and there's a few more looking to as well.

"I think it's now important for the younger players that are there to try and get regular first team experience under their belt."

Asked about the demands of playing in Bielsa's development side whilst training with the Whites senior players, he added: "It was good to be exposed to that system. It was difficult.

"For different positions at Leeds there are different requirements. I felt like that really helped improve my game.

"The attention to detail that they have puts a lot of pressure on you to implement the style of play in games.

"I hope that can help me going forward."

Hosannah could make his Bradford debut next week in EFL Trophy action against Wolves Under-21s.

City have seen their league clash with Grimsby Town this weekend postponed after a positive coronavirus test for the Mariners, but the defender says he will be prepared for whenever he is called upon.

"I feel ready," he said.

"Although I'm 21, I don't see it as being a kid anymore. I'm a bit more matured so I feel like the step up shouldn't be too hard.

"It can only be a positive step if I can go to Bradford and do well for whatever the future holds."