PARS star Kyle MacDonald believes that a run of matches in his favoured position is helping him make a greater impact on the team’s fortunes.

The 23-year-old, who is preparing to return to former club, Airdrieonians, with his team-mates this Saturday, has started Dunfermline’s last six matches in all competitions.

Deployed at right wing back, with Josh Edwards occupying the opposite side, MacDonald has impressed in supporting the attack, as well as carrying out his defensive duties, and feels it is the area of the team where he is most suited.

“I came into the team for the Challenge Cup game at Arbroath (a 5-1 win in December), done well, and then came on against Kelty (a 2-1 win on Christmas Eve), done well again, and I’ve managed to get myself in the team,” he said.

“I’ve started the last few games and I’ve been enjoying it. I feel I’ve been playing well as well.

“I’ve enjoyed it, especially playing that wing back position. I feel that’s probably where I’m strongest; being able to get up and down the pitch, take players on one v one, get crosses into the box, help create chances, and, also, always get back and defend as well.

“At full back, you’re sitting a bit deeper, receiving the ball deeper and facing the play in front of you, whereas, at wing back, you’re maybe receiving the ball on the back line, and looking to take on their full back, which I enjoy.

“I feel I’m most effective there, and that’s probably why I’ve been doing so well, because I’ve been playing in maybe my favourite position.

“I know I have been played in different positions this season. I’ve gave it my best, but maybe it’s not where I can be most effective, but now I feel like I’m playing where I am most effective.

“Maybe people are seeing that more.”

MacDonald is also taking confidence from the belief that his boss, James McPake, and his coaching team have in him by keeping him in the side, but said that players in the Dunfermline squad need to earn their place by impressing on the training pitch as well as in games.

“Getting a run of games in your favoured position is exactly what I needed,” he continued.

“You only get that by training well and doing well when you get the chance, and that’s what I have been doing.

“I suppose that’s the biggest compliment any manager or coach can pay you, is if he’s picking you for the starting eleven each week.

“If he’s picking me in the team every week, then that tells me everything I need to know, that I’m doing things right, doing well, and he values me enough to pick me in the team.

“He thinks I can affect the game, which he has been doing, and which I feel I have been doing.”