IT has been a while since The Postman did his rounds for Wanderers – but Phil Parkinson knew he could count on him to deliver once again.

Filipe Morais started only his eighth game of the season at Sheffield United on Saturday, playing in the right wing-back role he filled during League One promotion.

And though he returned to the bench against Hull City, a first-half injury to Karl Henry meant an earlier appearance than expected, this time as a number 10.

Parkinson feels he can count on the experienced midfielder to fill a number of roles in his side, and praised his input over the last couple of games.

“Fil has got good tactical awareness,” he said. “He has played that number 10 role plenty of times for me at Bradford. He knows what he is doing and we even had to put him out on the left for the last 10 minutes (against Hull) when Adam Le Fondre came on.

“I am pleased for him because he’s another player who has had to be patient. He had a period where he was carrying injuries and wasn’t physically in tip-top shape but he is now and I think you can see it.”

Another of last season’s good habits to return in recent weeks has been the ability to keep clean sheets. Three in the last four games provided Parkinson with a welcome boost over the festive period.

“I’m really pleased because we’d spoken about keeping concentration, making sure we kept focus right up until the 94th, 95th, 96th minute.”