By Rob Cornell
Kwesi Appiah is keen to put his injury frustrations behind him and help fire the Dons up the League One table, starting with the visit of high-flying Bradford tomorrow.
“I’m chomping at the bit, but I’ve got to be a little bit cautious because I’ve been out for a little while,” said the Ghanaian international striker in an interview with our premium iFollow Dons channel.
“We’re working on things behind the scenes and making sure everything is alright, so that when I do step back on the pitch I can give my all. I’m looking forward to it, very much so!
“I came through sixty minutes of the development game on Tuesday and I worked hard on the recovery day, so now it’s with a view to being involved on Saturday. It’s a case now of how I react to midweek and coming on as a sub against Wigan last Saturday and take it from there. Having had a recovery day, we’ll see where we’re at.”
A clip of the interview with Kwesi is available below, via a link to our official club YouTube channel.
A hamstring injury sustained in the game against Milton Keynes towards the end of September ruled Kwesi out for three months. It has restricted the former Crystal Palace forward to just eight starts and four other appearances from the bench in all competitions.
He’s aiming to make up for lost time by adding to the two goals he’s already notched since his summer move, including a memorable match-winner at Ewood Park against Blackburn Rovers.
“I’m hoping to ease the load on Barchy, Harry, Cody and Lyle when I come back and give my contribution. I don’t know how it would work in the gaffer’s mind with me, Cody and Lyle on the pitch at the same time, but if we can make that happen I’m sure it would be pretty explosive!”
Kwesi’s return comes at a key stage in the Dons campaign with four league games – two home and two away – to fit in between December 23 and New Year’s Day.
With the Bantams up next, Kwesi said “We’ve got to work hard; we’re in a situation that we need to come out of.
“We’ve got to look to the next game and how we can improve and get the best result we can. The most important game to us is the next game. We look to impose ourselves on that and get a good result for the club.
“It’s a busy period and it’s not really ‘the usual’ for any other part of the season. You might do Saturday, Tuesday, Saturday at best, but this is a busy time when the depth of the squad gets tested - so we need everybody fit and firing and everybody is going to be needed at some stage. “
“It’s good because those players that may not get many minutes throughout the main bulk of the season - this is their chance for them to step in and take their opportunity. Everybody will be willing to get involved and do their best.”
The full interview with Kwesi Appiah and the pre-match thoughts of AFC Wimbledon coach Simon Bassey, ahead of tomorrow’s game against Bradford City, are available to subscribers of our iFollow Dons channel.