Kyel Reid has hailed Steve Parkin’s role in helping him bury any injury demons.

The jet-heeled City winger has won his place back in the starting line-up for the last three league games.

And there has been no sign of any mental scars from last season’s serious groin problem holding him back.

Reid worked intensively through the summer on a strengthening programme with the club’s medical department.

Just as importantly, assistant boss Parkin has also restored his self-belief on the training ground. Reid said: “I’ve been working hard behind the scenes with the groin and there have been no problems or relapses. That was my main worry.

“I didn’t want to get back in the team, start doing well and then get that shock again where I’m sidelined for a long time.

“The physios and Nick Allamby (City’s fitness coach) have been great but Steve Parkin has also played a big part.

“He’s really helped me get that confidence back, getting me to trust that my groin is strong enough by doing a lot of kicking, crossing the ball and having shots. I feel I’m progressing each week.

“I’m happy to be back in the team and getting that partnership going with Mezza (James Meredith) again. I’m just enjoying playing.”

Reid missed ten weeks of last season after tearing his left groin muscle in October and felt it troubling him again during the play-off run-in.

He began the new campaign behind summer signing Mark Yeates but regained his spot in City’s 1-1 draw at Stevenage, announcing his return with a superb free-kick to equalise.

It was his tenth goal in two years at the club – nine of them on the road. Today is the anniversary of his only strike at Valley Parade against Morecambe.

Reid added: “Another one is due but as long as we keep playing well, a goal for me is a bonus. The position I play in, I’m happy if I can set one up.

“I was having a little chat with Steve a few weeks ago about most of my goals coming away from home and he said that most were very important for the team.

“The more I can get away, the better. At home, that’s where I feel we play our best football and are most comfortable so we can always rely on the likes of Nahki (Wells) and James Hanson to score.

“We’re all confident in each other and trust our ability. There’s a good togetherness and understanding within the squad.”