The Newcastle midfielder has not been part of the England set up for more than two years, but the ex-Smoggy boss knows a fully fit Parker could be just what he is looking for.
Parker, 25, has just two caps for his country and has not played since a brief appearance as a sub in a friendly against Sweden in March 2004.
He moved to Newcastle for £6.5million last summer but he spent a lot of time on the sidelines with a knee injury.