The former Upton Park stopper insists that the 30-year-old is in a straight duel with Nigel Martyn for the place in Sven-Goran Eriksson's starting line-up and praises Glenn Roeder for what could be the most important signing of his managerial career at West Ham.
Speaking from his Wokingham home, where he now runs his full-time building business, Parksey said: "I'm a big admirer of David's and, although I haven't seen many Hammers matches this season, from what I've heard he has been very impressive since returning from injury.
"I speak to Tony Gale quite often, while my son Scott and daughter Marie still go regularly to Upton Park - especially Marie as she lives in London - and they tell me all about it. It's been a difficult season for the club but David's performances have been a real plus point and Glenn Roeder must be congratulated on persuading him to sign for West Ham.
"They obviously go back a long way to their Watford days and it is always helpful to a manager if you know a player's character and attitude, so full marks to Glenn for using that to his advantage."
Phil, who won a solitary England cap against Portugal in 1974 (a tally that would have been so much higher had he not been up against Peter Shilton and Ray Clemence throughout his career), is certain that the former Watford, Liverpool and Aston Villa keeper will be firmly in Sven-Goran Eriksson's World Cup plans, and believes that the Swedish coach has got it spot on with his use of the two senior goalkeepers currently in the frame.
"I see it being between David and Nigel Martyn for the number one spot," says Phil. "Nigel has obviously got the shirt at the moment and I would expect him to start if he stays fit, but there really isn't a lot between them and you would be confident of playing either of them.
"I can't really see David Seaman proving his fitness before the end of the season and although Richard Wright is a fantastic young keeper, he is one for the future and will should just go along for the experience.
"To be fair, Sven-Goran Eriksson is looking at Nigel and David equally - giving them a half each in friendlies and watching them both regularly for their clubs - which is the right thing to do.
"In the past, I think England managers have perhaps made the mistake of not giving enough opportunities to their back-up keepers in the games that don't really matter. It happened to Nigel Martyn in Euro 2000 when he suddenly had to come in for David Seaman after not really playing in the build-up matches.
"If he'd had more experience beforehand, he might have been more ready for it. By playing them both, Eriksson is making sure that either one will be ready should there be an injury."
Of course, James' misfortune in the friendly against Holland last year proves just how quickly circumstances can change for any player, but Phil has been impressed with David's swift recovery and return to top form after his serious knee injury.
"He was very unlucky to suffer that injury just after arriving at West Ham. That set him back before he had the chance to show the Hammers fans what he could do, but he has come back magnificently and is playing as well as he has ever done now.
"Going back to his early career, I felt that he possibly moved on too early from Watford. He was very young and, no disrespect to Watford, if he'd made his mistakes there, they wouldn't have been headline news as they were at Liverpool.
"He is obviously a very strong character, though, and he bounced back well from that. He did very well at Villa and now I am pleased that he is at Upton Park.
"People might underestimate what an important signing he could turn out to be, but Glenn Roeder knows his worth and he is the type of top class international who can help to attract more talent to the club."