NOBODY in the City dressing room has known Phil Parkinson longer than Kyel Reid.

Matt Duke once joked that Parkinson had signed the winger so often "we suspect he's his secret son".

When the manager took the Valley Parade helm in August 2011, Reid was the first new face to put pen to paper. The pair had previously worked together during Parkinson's spell in charge of Charlton.

And, of course, they were reunited again this season when Reid returned "home" on loan from Preston – a move expected to be made permanent after his current contract expires in the summer.

Reid said: "I was the gaffer's first signing and came pretty much the same day he did. He rang me before and said he was coming here. He gave me the low-down on the club and how big it is.

"He went through his plans and it was a no-brainer for me to come up here and join him. We'd had two seasons at Charlton together.

"He is a manager that is for me and I am for him. We have a great understanding and he always wants the best for me – and I want to do the best for him."

Parkinson knows Reid's worth to the team. Like any winger, he can infuriate at times, but his ability to take City up the field and get defenders back-pedalling remains a key weapon.

Any criticism from the manager is because of what Reid is capable of doing.

Reid said: "When he does give you a rollicking, everyone knows he is looking for a reaction.

"He knows how to get me going. I know what he wants and expects and it is finding that level of consistency.

"I am happy with how things have gone, hitting form at the right time of the year. I found my feet and got stronger with each game.

"It makes things more comfortable when you know each other like we do. I just want to keep working hard for him."

City have an embarrassment of riches out wide. Reid and Tony McMahon may hold the regular roles on the flanks but they face fierce competition.

Filipe Morais signalled his intent with another lively outing in the reserves in midweek and Paul Anderson waits impatiently in the wings. Mark Marshall and Josh Morris are also pushing for their chance in the crucial run-in to the season.

Reid admitted: "We have a lot of wingers. Personally, I have never been at a club with so many. The thing is we all get on and that helps. We are all behind each other and all trying to achieve the same goals.

"This is a great squad and it keeps the standards up. No-one can get complacent or they are out of the team. The man behind you is always chomping at the bit and wanting to put that shirt on."

With four straight wins, City have powered into the thick of the League One play-off hunt – and second place may not be out of the question.

Reid is excited by the thought of another promotion but is looking no further than Shrewsbury tomorrow.

He said: "The games feel big but we have to take each one as it comes. We know what is at stake. It would be a massive achievement for the club to get back up another division.

"It would be great for the gaffer to get another promotion under his belt, as it would for me and all the lads."