Fulham manager Scott Parker feels midfielder Harrison Reed is in the best form of his career.

The 25 year-old completed a long-awaited permanent move to Craven Cottage this summer after a successful loan spell from Southampton concluded with victory in the Championship play-off final. Reed was not an automatic selection at the start of the season, but has been outstanding having forged an impressive partnership with Andre Frank Zambo Anguissa at the base of the Fulham midfield and his tireless energy gives crucial protection to Parker’s reshaped back line.

The Fulham manager feels Reed’s recent displays against Tottenham, Chelsea and Manchester United are particularly worthy of praise.

I think Harrison’s played the best three games of his Fulham career, to be honest. The last three have been tremendous and he was a vital part of what we did last year. I thought he could make the step up and he’s proved that over the last few games. I’m pleased he’s progressing and he’s been given the opportunity and a platform in the Premier League to do that.

Parker concurs with Reed’s own assessment that having a former central midfielder as his manager has helped him grow into the Fulham shirt.

Maybe there’s an easier connection for me because of how I see that position because I have 20 years of it and it’s ingrained. I have vast (number of) photographs (of the position) in my mind, so it’s probably a little bit easier.

It remains to be seen whether Reed will start Sunday’s FA Cup fourth round clash with Burnley as Parker considers rotating his side ahead of the pivotal trips to relegation rivals Brighton and West Brom next week.