PHIL Parkinson today praised the impact of Filipe Morais on City and insisted: He's a massive threat for us.

The Bantams boss feels Morais is also forging an effective combination with Stephen Darby down the right.

Parkinson is delighted with the response from the Portuguese, who has only broken into his regular starting plans in recent weeks.

Morais has featured in the last three games and played an influential role in the consecutive wins at Halifax and Preston.

He provided a thundering winner in the FA Cup tie at The Shay and then made the decisive pass to set up Mark Yeates for his delicious curler at Deepdale.

Parkinson said: "I'm really pleased with Filipe. I keep saying it but his professionalism since he has been here has been very good.

"He's had to bide his time while he has waited for a chance but not for one minute has he allowed his head to drop. He has really worked hard.

"He has done extra work on the training pitch when the opportunities are there and that's why he has been able to come in and play so well.

"At the moment he looks a massive threat, providing crosses and winning us corners.

"He was torturing the left back in the first half at Preston. He is playing well and let's hope it continues."

Morais is currently on a short-term contract that runs out on New Year's Eve. Parkinson is clearly keen to keep the player but that is likely to hinge on the club's budget situation.

The former Chelsea winger, who turns 29 tomorrow, has stated how much he is enjoying it at City – the tenth club of his career.

Morais said: "I've been waiting for my opportunity. When you come to a new club, you've got to work hard to get in the team.

"Once I did that against Doncaster, I thought I put in a decent performance. I knew it could be better but that was the beginning.

"I like to see a lot of the ball and having the beating of the full back. I love to get at people and put crosses in – that's what I feel I do best."

Parkinson has already noticed a promising understanding developing between Morais and full back Darby. The City skipper played an equally vital role in the Preston win with a goalline clearance.

He said: "That was as good as a goal. It may not get the headlines like strikers scoring but it was just as important.

"Stephen has done things like that time and time again. He just senses danger and is terrific in that situation.

"That desire is everything we want and sums up what this team is all about.

"I think him and Fil have doubled up really well together. They look a good combination that can really drive us on down that side."