Defender Jay Conroy admits he is desperate to be part of the future of AFC Wimbledon - and will be going all guns blazing to secure a new contract.

Conroy was drafted in by Terry Brown earlier this month after a succession of injuries left the Dons stretched in the full-back department.

And the former Crystal Palace trainee, who appeared for the Dons on loan back in 2005 before a horrendous leg-break against Croydon, is eager to help Wimbledon hit the big time.

He said: “I absolutely love the club and really want to stay past this season.

“It may sound sad but my only ambition in life is to play in the football league.

“If I even had one game in the league I could die happy the next day, and there is a great chance AFC Wimbledon could achieve that.

“I would chop off my own arm and leg to get an opportunity like that.”

The 23-year-old has gone the right way about his business at Kingsmeadow with a trio of confident displays in recent weeks.

And his appearances in the Dons colours are testament to a spirit that has seen him battle back from that potential career-ending injury four years ago.

Conroy was on loan from Palace, and in his final game before being recalled by Ian Dowie broke his fibia, fractured his tibia and ruptured ankle ligaments after a Croydon challenge that amazingly went unpunished.

The defender was out for 11 months, and after battling back went on to help Lewes claim the Blue Square South title last season.

So, how does life at Wimbledon compare this time around?

“It’s still a great club, it is just that everything seems bigger”, says Conroy.

“The crowds are massive and there is a lot of media interest now.

“Everything seems a lot more professional.

“There is a lot more attention to detail now - everything is looked into, even the food that you are eating.

“In a way, it is a bigger club than a lot of the professional sides in the lower leagues.”

Conroy knows what it takes to succeed at this level, and despite the defeat to Welling last weekend he is convinced the Dons are still in the driving seat.

And the full-back reckons promotion would lead to even better things for Wimbledon.

He added: “Wimbledon like to get the ball down and play, and as you move up the leagues you tend to get more time on the ball.

“It is definitely a club moving forward, and I just want to play my part.

“I played for Palace in a testimonial game back in 2004 in front of 12,500, and when the announcer read out my name I almost wet myself.

“I realised then professional football was my calling in life, and I would love to help the Dons get into the football league.”

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