Experienced defender aims to win place back
Andy Frampton says he’s ready for the challenge of winning back a place in Wimbledon’s starting line-up after boosting his match fitness at Leyton Orient yesterday.
The experienced defender (pictured) came through 69 minutes for Wimbledon’s development side and he could be in contention to play a part at Accrington Stanley on Saturday.
Since suffering a broken ankle during a pre-season training camp in Spain, his good friend Adam Barrett – the pair helped Gillingham to League 2 title success in 2013 – has joined Wimbledon and that has increased competition for places.
Speaking to Dons Player after the 2-2 draw against Orient in the Final Third Development League, Frampton said: “I felt really good and it was nice to get back out there and play in a competitive game. I started full training again last Thursday and it felt right to have a game today. It has been very frustrating for me because we were heading towards the start of the season when the injury happened. I’ve had quite a few injuries in my career, but I’ve gained experience from every setback I’ve had in my career and I’m ready to go again now.
“I have to try and get back into the first-team. We’ve brought in some really good players and we had a very good start to the season. From a personal perspective, it was obviously disappointing to think that I could have been a part of it. Now I have to fight for my place back.
“I had a great time at Gillingham with Adam and we got to know each other really well. We’re good mates and it’s great to have him around the place. It’s very good for the football club to have Adam here until January. He has been very successful in his career and he is only going to help the younger lads.”
Frampton himself provided a big influence at Orient yesterday with his experience proving to be invaluable for a young side – and he believes Wimbledon have players capable of stepping up to the first-team in future.
“It’s very exciting for the club that we have so many good young players coming through,” added Frampton. “I thought that Tom Beere and Chace Jacquart both did very well and Ade Azeez has given the two centre backs a headache with his pace. George Pilbeam and Ben Harrison had fantastic games in the full-back positions.
“It’s tough to make the step-up and your fitness levels have to be at a certain level to deal with it. Tom has coped with it very well and has taken it in his stride. He is going to be a very good player for the future of this club.”
Dons Player subscribers can watch the full video interview with Andy Frampton on our premium site, along with the thoughts of Will Nightingale on being made captain at Leyton Orient.