PAUL Mullin hopes his loan spell at Bradford City can prepare him for a promotion push with Accrington Stanley next season.

Mullin last week joined the play-off chasing Bantams on loan for the rest of the season but has been pleased to see Stanley gain two victories, which appear to have ended any lingering relegation worries, since his departure.

The 35-year-old is now hopeful that the Reds can make a play-off push of their own next season and, although a permanent move in the summer cannot yet be completely ruled out, Mullin currently expects to be back at Stanley next season.

“Bradford aren’t planning for next year and neither am I,” said the striker, who has one year remaining on his Reds deal.

“I’m still an Accrington player. This is just until the end of the season and then I’d expect to be back at Accrington for pre-season.

“It didn’t even enter discussions. All I’m thinking about is getting into the play-offs and getting promoted. I’ve not thought beyond that.

“I have said before that I ambitious to play in League One and that will always be the case as long as I’m playing. I’d like to play at as high a level as I can.

“But if Bradford were to get promoted they’ll probably be looking in a different pool of players anyway.

“It’s a fresh challenge for me. Obviously I’ll get the chance to experience a different way of playing and different training methods and Bradford are playing towards the top of the league, which unfortunately we haven’t had the chance to do yet at Accrington.

“But hopefully this experience will benefit me if we can do that next year.”

Mullin made his Bradford debut in front of more than 12,000 people at Valley Parade in Saturday’s 1-0 loss to Port Vale before briefly returning to Stanley on Monday for treatment.

He was happy with his debut display for the Bantams but, having spent the last nine seasons with Stanley, he admits the swiftness of the loan deal meant he was still getting used to his surroundings.

“It was strange, having been at Accrington for so long, and it all happened so quickly that it was hard to get my head around it,” Mullin said.

“The move suited all parties but it was still a huge shock and it all happened in one day.

“There’s a chance to play at Wembley, which would be a massive stage and it’s unlikely I’d get the chance to do that again.

“Bradford is a big stage to play on and I would have regretted it if I hadn’t taken it.”