MIDFIELDER James Dunne is ready to make up for lost time after his three-game suspension comes to an end ahead of Swindon Town’s game against Tranmere Rovers.

Dunne was sent off in the final game of last season after an altercation with Accrington Stanley’s Jimmy Dunne.

That saw him miss out on the club’s opening day win over Macclesfield Town, as well as defeats to Lincoln and Forest Green Rovers.

The former Cambridge United man regrets picking up the two yellow cards and says despite a lack of game time in the opening fixtures of the season, he remains optimistic about his fitness as Phil Brown looks to steer his side to a second League Two win at the Energy Check County Ground this weekend.

Dunne says preparation for this season felt a little unfamiliar at times as he was aware he would miss the opening fixtures.

“Obviously it was silly from me to get set off at the end of last season because there was nothing on the game,” he said.

“It was in the last five minutes and I should have walked away. Pre-season has been a little bit different because I’ve not been involved.

“The manager has kept me involved, I’ve been able to get my minutes in so other than not being in the starting line-up it has been alright.

“Playing against Chelsea (in the Checkatrade Trophy) was an experience. They had some very good players, just keep the ball and we were running around trying to catch them.

“When you get it back, you have to then keep the ball. It was a lesson and they gave us a good lesson to be fair. I’m looking forward to being involved on Saturday.”

Due to an influx of midfielders, his suspension and a lack of cover in the right-back position, Dunne has been pencilled in as a potential full-back by Brown.

Although he isn’t so keen on the new defensive position, he has been more than happy to deputise as the club have with just one recognised right back in Kyle Knoyle.

Whether he he features at all remains as a decision to be made by the manager as they prepare to plot a way past promoted Rovers.

Former Town duo Paul Mullin and Ollie Banks are both expected to feature in some capacity and Dunne says he is looking forward to coming up against his old teammates.

“Because of the competition in midfield and I wasn’t around for the first game, the manager has had a look and his team and right-back was an area which wasn’t covered,

“He asked at the start if I could play the position, so I have just done that through pre-season.

"Hopefully I won’t be seen there for too long.

“Tranmere will be full of confidence after their promotion and they have done alright. I don’t know much about them.

“We have to have our wits about us. I’ve not spoken to them (Mullin and Banks) yet, I was speaking to Banks over the summer.

"I knew my ban would be over before we played them so it depends on whether the manager picks me.''