Dunbar, 32, was in sparkling form against Redditch on Saturday, his combination work with George Quantrell setting up the winning goal for Jamar Loza. And there is little doubt the skipper’s return to the side has been a huge boost for boss Chris Wigger and the rest of the team.

“I’ve been feeling great in myself since I’ve been back,” Dunbar, who earlier in the season clocked up his 400th appearance for Leiston, said.

“My body and especially my back have been holding up well. I’m looking after myself doing a lot more stretching and yoga. At my age you must do a few more of these things. But it’s been a pleasure to be back with the boys and I’m really enjoying it.”

Dunbar and the Blues are on a good run of form, with four clean sheets on the bounce in a run of just one defeat in nine in all competitions.

Saturday’s win against Redditch was even more commendable as the Blues played without a recognised ‘keeper for almost 80 minutes after Billy Johnson was sent off for deliberate handball.

“Confidence is high right now,” Dunbar said. “We all know our jobs; we’re playing the right way where we can. All the boys are very confident.

“Redditch was a good win, of course. It was a crazy game to be honest. Even when we had Billy (Johnson) sent off, it still felt that we all felt we could win and that’s the kind of confidence that is shining through.

“The way we played the rest of that game was quite remarkable. We were the better team with ten men. We showed real character.”

The Blues head to Stamford at the weekend, a game that is sure to be another stiff test in what is boiling up to an exciting finale for the Victory Road team. The two teams drew 1-1 at the Watson & Hillhouse Stadium earlier in the season.

And the skipper has no doubts where minds must be focused.

“It’s a very tight league, but the play-offs are the aim now,” Dunbar added. “We’re in sight of it. That is where we’re aiming.

“Stamford will be another big test. Their manager gets them fired up, they come at you quick, put pressure on you. But how we’re playing right now, we’re confident anywhere we go, any ground we go to, we can get three points.”