But the centre back is enjoying a return to the side and the opportunity to continue their defensive work that is one of the Championship's best.

The 23-year-old Northern Ireland cap joined on a season-long loan from Dundee, in late July, making his debut in the opening day draw at Inverness Caledonian Thistle.

He played in their next two games, against Ayr United in the league, and a Premier Sports Cup defeat to Ross County, after which he didn't feature in Athletic's next six games.

An injury to Sam Cleall-Harding in a stalemate with Livingston earlier this month, which could sideline him for between 8-12 weeks, opened the door once more for Donnelly.

After replacing him against the Lions, he started in last midweek's draw with Partick Thistle, and has been at the heart of the backline for wins at Queen's Park, on Saturday, and Stenhousemuir, on Tuesday, which yielded two shut-outs.

Aaron Donnelly has started Dunfermline's last three matches following an injury to Sam Cleall-Harding. (Image: Craig Brown.)

Manager Neil Lennon's switch from a back three to a four saw Donnelly drop out of the team, who said: "I think it's never easy to accept that you're not playing.

"You always want to be playing every game, no matter if you're out on loan, or at your parent club.

"But, Nuru (Nurudeen Abdulai) and Sam, and then Robbie (Fraser) and Dylan (Lobban), on both sides, have been doing really well, along with Ox (Aston Oxborough) as well, keeping clean sheets.

"So, that's probably the most important thing is, as a team, you want to build on that first, then the goals will come after that.

"It was probably a really good decision that the manager has made (to change formation).

"We've probably played our best football since we changed formation, probably creating the most chances in the league as well, just not finishing them.

"But I think, as the manager reinforced, that'll come.

"The change of formation allows you to attack a bit more, and as I said, we've been really sold at the back, so it's working both ways."

Aaron Donnelly believes Dunfermline's switch in formation has helped in their recent good form. (Image: Craig Brown.)

Lennon, after Donnelly's return to his starting line-up, was full of praise for the defender's performance.

Not only is he happy to have his manager's backing, but he's also enthused with the team's style of play, which has them just four points off top spot.

"It's good to know that you've got his backing as well," Donnelly continued.

"When you play well, he's obviously going to compliment you, but on the other side, when you don't play as well, he's going to come for you.

"Coming in, there's a real flow. You understand what you're doing.

"The manager and Brunny (Iain Brunskill), on the training pitch, reinforce it every day, what way we play, what way we press, and, when we lose the ball, we get after it straight away.

"It's really good to play in."