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Cape Town - Kaizer Chiefs coach Steve Komphela says Bernard Parker will remain a vital cog in the Amakhosi machine.
With the young Ryan Moon in red-hot scoring form and South American strikers Leonardo Castro and Gustavo Paez as well as Dumisani Zuma also fighting for places, the 32-year Parker has a challenge on his hands in terms of getting frequent game-time.
But as the younger generation begin to make their respective marks, Komphela still places much value on what Parker brings to his team.
"Bernard will help," Komphela was quoted saying by The Star.
"He is highly experienced - and on any given day, Bernard can play anywhere. He has got football brains.
"He understands how to affect the game with the ball and how to organise his team-mates by giving confidence. We will benefit from that."
Parker, who has won two Absa Premiership titles with Chiefs and who has made 72 appearances for Bafana Bafana and scored 23 goals, ended a run of five matches side-lined through injury when he played in Sunday's 3-0 win over Golden Arrows in the Nedbank Cup and chipped in with the second goal.
Komphela was pleased with Parker's showing and admits that he now has some tough choices to make with regards future team selections.
"It will just be a difficulty of making choices from Castro, Paez, Zuma, Moon and him.
"It is a nice headache again, but we welcome him back. He came through nicely (against Arrows). He held the ball nicely and you could see a man playing with confidence.
"I don't remember him losing the ball and that's what you want from Parker because when he doesn't lose the ball he is deadly and will win a match for you."
Amakhosi are next in action when they play Cape Town City in a league game at the FNB Stadium on Saturday night.
Kick-off is at 20:15.
