PHIL Parkinson sees Filipe Morais as City’s flexible friend.

The Portuguese midfielder yesterday signed a new deal to keep him at Valley Parade until the end of 2014.

He originally joined on a short-term contract on the eve of the season and started four of the first seven games.

Parkinson revealed that Morais has been offered chances elsewhere - with interest understood to come from Scotland - but was keen to remain with the Bantams.

He said: “Fil has been great since he’s been here and he’s got a good attitude. He’s a good lad who has fitted in very well with the boys.

“He’s an energetic player and from what I’ve seen so far, I’m really pleased with him. He has plenty of flexibility to his game.

“I like him as a player and as a person and I think he has made a good contribution to the season so far. I was particularly impressed with his performance at Crawley when I thought he was excellent.

“He had offers to go elsewhere on longer contracts but he was keen to stay here and keep proving himself at Bradford.”

The 28-year-old spent the last two seasons at Stevenage after a previous spell with Oldham. Before that he played for three clubs north of the border.

Parkinson added: “He has played a lot of games at this level and he gives us another attacking option.

“He can play as an out-and-out wide player, he can play in behind the strikers or he can play as one of our three central midfielders if we stick with that.”

Christopher Routis is pushing for his first league action against Yeovil tomorrow after impressing on his debut at Oldham.

The City chief said: “I thought Chris was excellent at the back and has given us something to think about. Matty Dolan also came in and did well.

“We have always said that we wanted to run with a smaller squad, perhaps not as small as it was a few weeks ago, but a squad nevertheless where we can trust everyone to play.

“I think we are in that situation now.”