Wimbledon's forgotten man Alan Kimble says he hopes to be battling for a place in the first team squad within the next month.

It's been a wretched season for the 35-year-old left back, who has been dogged by knee problems since the start of the campaign.

Kimble's injury problems seem to be behind him after an operation to trim the meniscal cartilage and to drill excess fluid in a bone directly linking the cartilage.

"I had problems with it at the beginning of the season," he said. "I kept having it drained by the physio until I couldn't anymore, which is why I needed an operation."

I had it six weeks ago. I went to see a specialist on Tuesday and now I'm in the process of working my way back.

"It should take three or four weeks before I get there. And it's hard work. I start at 9.30am and finish at 3.30pm and don't get home until 5pm.

"It's part and parcel of football. They want me back in the team. I want to come back and play a few games in the reserves, before I can challenge for a place in the first team."

Kimble's place in the Dons team has been taken by either Jermaine Darlington or Peter Hawkins.

"There is a big squad at Wimbledon and the two of them have performed well when required," added Kimble.

"They are all playing for 11 places."

Having sat and watched from the stands since the 4-0 mauling by landlords Crystal Palace on October 13, Kimble says the demonstrations by the Dons' supporters towards chairman Charles Koppel and the clubs proposal to move 70 miles north to Milton Keynes haven't affected the team.

"The players on the pitch put the fans' demonstrations to the back of their minds," he said.

"The club are trying to get a new ground so we can go further.

"Christmas is when something hopefully will be sorted out, but I don't know what."

Kimble backs the PFA in their well-documented dispute with the Football Association over television money.

"You have to support the PFA," he added. "They have done a fantastic job, sorting out operations for players and keeping them happy.

"Hopefully it will get sorted out. No-one wants to be striking and I don't think there will be one."

December 4, 2001 15:01