Parky has been training harder than ever for the ever closer Division One campaign as he attempts to keep promising youngsters James Harper and Joe Gamble out of the side.
The Chorley-born star told readingfc.co.uk: "I'm fit and training hard. The manager may be looking to play the younger lads but I just want to be fit and give him an option and play as bigger part as I can.
"There are a lot of hungry young players, Harper, Gamble, they want to show everyone they should be playing. This includes even small games in training, that's good determination."
Yet people will continue to question his ability to last the pace in a the modern game. With Division One football comes a step up in pace, but Parky feels that he is still good enough to compete. "At the moment I feel OK," he commented.