Luke Garrard admits he is straining at the leash after returning to full training following his eight-month injury-nightmare.

The Kingsmeadow favourite was forced to watch from the sidelines as the Dons wrapped up the Blue Square South title, having suffered a freak cruciate knee ligament injury in a training-ground collision with keeper Andy Little in November.

And full-back Garrard reveals he is finally emerging from the darkest period in his career.

He said: “Without a shadow of a doubt the last eight months have been the lowest point in my time as a player.

“It was an awful, awful time.

“But I have been in training for the last week and I am doing exactly the same as everybody else which has given me a big lift.

“I’m happy with how my recovery has gone and now it is a case of getting my head right.

“I need to be able to jump for the ball and not worry about whether I am landing on one leg or both legs.

“So the aim for me now is to get through pre-season totally unscathed and get back to my best - and I cannot wait.”

The 23-year-old former Swindon Town man is known for his larger-than-life persona, and he continued to produce his touchline antics despite his frustrating setback.

And Garrard is determined to take the positives from the experience.

He added: “To be honest when I get back to full fitness I actually think I will be a better player.

“I have worked a lot on my strength over the last few months, and the condition of my body has really improved.

“That will be really important as the first thing I noticed when I watched Blue Square Premier football is that all the players look like real athletes.

“So I want to get back to doing what I do best, giving 100 per cent and bombing up and down the touchline all game.”

With the release of the Blue Square Premier fixtures last week having bought the season into sharp focus, Garrard admits the opening-day clash with Luton Town is the perfect carrot to dangle at the end of his training stick.

He added: “No disrespect to the likes of Basingstoke Town or Team Bath but when you see the likes of Luton and Oxford it is a different class of football altogether.

“I am so excited about the season - I want to pit myself against the best players that the division has to offer and I will be busting a gut to do that.

“The boss has brought in some great young players and the place is absolutely buzzing, and I am really happy to be part of it.”