CLAYTON Donaldson is happy to go back to the future in his latest City role.

The veteran striker is proving a hit in the number 10 position left vacant by Callum Cooke’s injury.

Mark Trueman and Conor Sellars have tried various players in the creative job – but Donaldson is currently making it his own.

The 37-year-old scored his first goal under the joint bosses in Monday’s draw at Stevenage in his third game since being tried in there.

Donaldson is enjoying the “new challenge” but revealed it is nothing new in his long career.

He said: “The last time I did it was at Brentford. Uwe Rosler put me as a 10 for a few games and I managed to score a few goals from there and be effective.

“It’s not a position that I’m new to. I’ve done it before and it’s good to have that chance to create more stuff for the team.

“It’s something a bit different. It’s a new challenge compared to what I’m used to and I don’t mind that.

“It allows me to get on the ball and be more creative. I’ve got that in my game so I’m always looking forward to it when I’m playing in that position, trying to get on the half-turn and cause the midfield and defenders problems.

“It gives them something extra to think about because not many opponents have seen me play there.

“It also gives you that freedom. You’re not playing against two centre halves who are trying to go through you all the time.”

Donaldson’s equaliser at the Lamex Stadium was his sixth goal of the season but first since netting at against Cheltenham on December 1.

Now back in the team, he was eager to get back on the scoresheet.

“One of my main goals before the game was to try and get more opportunities,” he added.

“Since I’ve been back in the team, I haven’t really had much chance. I was trying to get in the box and support Cooky (Andy Cook) more.

“I’m always thriving to play well. It’s a different game to when you’re playing up top.

“You’re playing in that hole trying to create chances for the team and to nick goals as well.

“It was a great cross. That made the goal – all I had to do was glance it on target.”

City dropped two points on seventh-placed Newport in the final play-off position with the draw. But with eight games to go, Donaldson believes the race is still on.

“I thought we were the better team in the second half and maybe we could have nicked it.

"But Stevenage are on the back of a good run, 12 games unbeaten, so you’ve got to show them a bit of respect.

“They are an in-form team so to go there and get a point is probably a positive result for us overall.

“The season is still alive. We’ve got Grimsby next which will be a good game for us.

“They are fighting for their lives so it’s going to be a different kind of game. It’s one we can definitely win.

“They are desperate for points so probably won’t sit in. They will try and nick a goal so they’ll be coming at us as well.

“It should be a bit more of an open game and I think we thrive on that on the counter-attack because we’ve got players who can hurt teams.”