Dunn’s still young at heart

STILL GOING STRONG . . . Athletic’s David Dunn displays his skills against Bury.

THE BODY may take longer to get over the bumps, and the catcalls may be more clearly heard from sparse crowds in League One, but David Dunn is relishing spending the twilight of his career with Athletic.

The 35 year old will surpass the whole of last season’s game-time with Blackburn in the Championship if, as expected, he starts against Bradford tomorrow.

While he admits he no longer gets around the field quite as he used to, the one-cap England man clearly has the nous to make him a potent operator under manager Darren Kelly.

And while life’s little luxuries like having boots cleaned for you are missing, nothing has fazed Dunn so far.

“I’m nearly 36 and you probably feel your body more than ever before,” said Dunn. “At the same time I still have loads of enthusiasm. I love playing and that gets me through it.”

Dunn’s plan is ultimately to move into management and, at a similar age to both Kelly and his assistant Dean Holden, he has been an important presence in the dug-out, even when not playing.

“I am on with my coaching badges and I needed to be prepared and to have a good knowledge of League One and League Two,” Dunn explained.

“I felt playing here for a year or two would be invaluable experience in building knowledge of teams and players I will be up against in the next few years. Darren and Dean have been fantastic.

“It’s been good. The only thing missing is that we could now be sitting in those top two places, had we have taken our chances.”

David feels he is getting up to full speed as he spends more time on the pitch — an ominous sign for the rest of the division.

“Missing pre-season wasn’t ideal, but I have caught up quickly and the games are getting me fit,” Dunn added.

“I am only around 30 minutes behind all the minutes I played all of last season. If you are going by that, I’m doing ok.”