Phil Parkinson predicts that Kyle Bennett will continue to improve as he finds his feet with City.

The Doncaster winger had a tough start to his loan spell in January when he was sent off on his debut against Preston.

He took a while to get used to his new surroundings but the last two performances have been his best so far for the club.

Bennett, who has now featured eight times, scored a well-taken individual goal in the win at Colchester and followed up with another lively display last weekend against Gillingham.

Parkinson is not surprised to see him becoming a more influential figure in the side.

The City boss said: “Sometimes when players come in and you say they’re not up to speed, supporters think you are making excuses.

“But I’m not, it’s the truth. He hadn’t played a first-team game for four months when he came here and then he got sent off.

“It takes time to build his own confidence, to understand the players round him and understand his role in the team.”

Bennett arrived at the same time as Adam Reach, who hit the ground running after playing regularly at Shrewsbury for the first half of the season.

Reach’s second month on loan is up after Saturday’s trip to his former club and City are considering whether to push Middlesbrough for another possible extension.

Parkinson feels the two wide men are beginning to offer a different threat to defences.

“Benno and Reach are a good combination of wide players for us,” he said.

“Reach is quite direct and Benno has got that ability to come inside and make things happen.

“You need that, especially at home when teams sit back like Gillingham did. You need someone with quality who’s going to unlock the door.

“I think Benno’s been great for us so far and he’s getting better.”