Experienced defender looks ahead to Southend
Andy Frampton is determined to make up for lost time during the run-in after featuring just eight times in 2014 due to injuries.
Frampton, who was arguably Wimbledon’s player of the season during the first half of this season, has missed a large chunk of the current campaign since, but he could return for tomorrow’s tough away match at Southend United.
Speaking to Dons Player, Frampton (pictured above) talked about his fitness and helping to push Wimbledon forward as a club.
“I picked up a calf strain near the end of the Northampton match,” said the defender. “I think that came on the back of playing four games in two weeks after my recovery from a shoulder injury. I might have just overdid it, but I thought I was 100 per cent right to go through until the end of this season.
“Now I feel good again and I want to get back amongst it, first and foremost for the team. We have fought long and hard all season and I want to do my bit during the last five games. Since the turn of this year, it’s been a bit stop-start for me. I could not legislate for dislocating my shoulder, but now I’m ready to go again.
“We’ve got very winnable games during the rest of this season and hopefully we can pick up as many points as possible and be well clear. That would be a stepping stone in the right direction for the summer when we will hopefully go again.
“Maybe there has been a bit of a self-conscious thing that we’ve gone into certain games (against the top sides) with a nothing to lose mentality and the lads have pulled their fingers out a bit more. But we have to do that in every game. If we had done that then we would not be looking at the last five games and saying that we need to pick up points to avoid a slip-up. It’s something that I’m sure we’ll be looking at for next season.”
First though, it’s a trip to Roots Hall and the experienced defender knows how tough a venue it can be for visiting teams.
“I’ve been going there to play for probably the last 17 years so I know what it takes to get a result,” Frampton added. “But the boys have to be ready for the challenge and we cannot afford to have anyone off their game. Southend is a tough place to go, but we are looking forward to it because it’s another opportunity to get three points.”
.Neal’s updateIf you missed team news on the official website yesterday, please click on
Tickets can still be purchased on the day for tomorrow’s match at Southend United. We have sold 335 away tickets in advance. Dons fans can collect advance tickets at the north-east corner collection point at Roots Hall.