THE defender who captained Salisbury City to double promotions has returned to a place he calls "home".

Brian Dutton has signed on loan until the end of the season from National South outfit Eastbourne Borough.

The 31-year-old joined Borough, who are managed by ex-Whites boss Tommy Widdrington, at the start of the season but got tired of the long travelling.

Dutton expressed an interest to find a club closer to his Winchester home and has since struck a deal with the Whites.

It has been almost three years since he departed the Ray Mac in the midst of the old club's financial crisis before they collapsed. That marked the end of a four-year spell, which included famous play-off victories over Hednesford Town in 2011 and Dover Athletic in 2013, helping Whites soar back to the National League.

"It's good to be home," Dutton beamed to JournalSport.

"Salisbury is a club close to my heart and it feels like there is a little bit of unfinished business there with the way things finished.

"I took that into account when I was looking for a new club and I asked myself do I want to play higher or come back to the club I care about? In the end it was a no brainer.

"I enjoyed it at Eastbourne but the travelling got too much so I spoke to Tommy about it and he was happy for me to find a club closer to me."

"Steve's got a good squad of players and I want to help them get promoted.

"Although it's a new club, it has the same soul and same fans but with just a different name. It would be nice to get three promotions."

Dutton will provide cover for Steve Claridge's injury-ravaged squad, which have one natural central defender in Eliott Wheeler following the departures of Steve Walker, who joined Blackfield and Langley, and Kieran Parselle, back at parent club Newport County. Plus, Calum Brockway is ruled out for the rest of the season with a shoulder injury.

However, Callum Hart, who lives with Dutton, is set for a return in two weeks' time after nine months on the sidelines.

Claridge, whose new recruit is eligible for tonight's League Challenge Cup quarter-final showdown with Barnstaple Town (7.45pm), said: "We’re really pleased to have him, it adds a bit of physicality and experience to our team, which we are looking for.

"We’ve done what we think is a good deal for his wages, which I always think is important.

"We’re looking ahead somewhat, to try and tick the boxes, that maybe were going to need to give ourselves the best opportunity if we were to get in to the play-offs."

Born in Malton, the well-travelled defender started his career at Cambridge United in 2003 before having spells at Pickering Town, Weymouth, Eastleigh, Mangotsfield United and Dorchester Town.

He first joined Salisbury in 2008 where he spent one season before moving to Harrogate Town and Northwich Victoria.

He returned two years later and became a club legend, starring 167 times in four years.

Off the pitch, Dutton coaches at Sparsholt Academy and holds a UEFA A licence coaching badge.