IN-FORM Billy Knott has what it takes to be the perfect ten for City boss Phil Parkinson.

Knott has scored three goals in the last two games since taking up a more attacking role playing directly behind the strikers.

It is the “number ten” position also favoured by Mark Yeates and Billy Clarke – and Parkinson reckons Knott is currently making a strong case for hanging on to the role when they are both back from injury.

Parkinson said: “I’ve known all along that Billy can play in that number ten role.

“He did it for England at under-20 level and went to Woking as a kid at 18 and scored eight goals in 20 games there. I see it every day in training.

“He is like a second striker playing there in the hole, not a midfield player. There’s a difference.

“There are players put in the number ten role to shore a team up and make the midfield stronger. But that’s not why Billy is there.

“Billy is in that role to get on the end of things and to create. That’s so important for us and he has done really well in the last two games against Notts County and Millwall.

“Hopefully we’ve got Billy Clarke and Yeatesy coming back soon but they’re going to have to fight for their place.”

Knott’s double at the Den took his goal tally for the season to six and made him joint top scorer with James Hanson. Parkinson is not surprised with his attacking input.

“People might have wondered about Billy when I played him there at Halifax behind Jon Stead,” he added. “The team didn’t start the game well that day and it didn’t really work out.

“But it’s a position he’s played a lot in his career in the England set-up and I know what he is capable of.

“His creativity in and around the box is great and that’s ultimately where we want him.

“Players like him are very hard to get because he moves like a striker in the box. The finish for his second goal against Millwall was exceptional.

“He’s got six goals now, all from open play with no penalties, and I expect him to keep pushing on.”

Parkinson expects to know more on the condition of Yeates and Andrew Davies at training this morning.

“Neither of them are serious injuries and both seem to be progressing well. Clarkie got a sickness bug over the weekend that set him back but he’s also going in the right direction.”

City also anticipate finalising a deal to keep Stead for the rest of the season.