'Fantastic' Dons aid Burton's recovery

Leo Spall13 April 2012

Wimbledon midfielder Trond Andersen believes the return of manager Terry Burton to the team's training ground will help in their promotion push.

Burton visited the ground for the first time yesterday since he was taken ill three weeks ago, and admitted the club's recent "fantastic" displays and the support of fans has helped his recovery.

He also paid tribute to the work the backroom staff has done in his absence.

Goalkeeping coach Stuart Murdoch will continue to deputise until Burton, who has had his appendix taken out, is ready to return to work.

Burton hopes to be back before the end of the season, but Andersen said his presence at training was enough to give the players a lift ahead of tonight's visit by Crewe to Selhurst Park.

The Norwegian admitted: "It was great to see him and good to know he is okay.

"He always has words of wisdom and it is definitely a boost for us. We have a chance of getting into the play-offs, but we still have some catching up to do and it is hard work at the moment because we are having to play four games in eight days. Fortunately we are on a good run."

Wimbledon picked up six points over the Easter weekend with 1-0 wins over Rotherham and Sheffield United. Those results mean they have won four of their last five games and are just four points below a play-off place with four games to go.

After Crewe, they are home to Bradford on Saturday and away to Wolves before concluding with the visit of Barnsley.

Burton said: "The present form of the team has really brought a smile to my face.

"I've said to the lads their recent displays have aided my recovery and the manner in which they have played has been fantastic.

"They have had to dig in and show character and team spirit and those things are very pleasing. I just went in to pat them on the back and say well done, but I have been in constant contact with Stuart either in hospital or at my house.

"A few people's names were mentioned as coming in and helping out, but I knew from day one that we didn't need that as we were doing so well. Those at the club that are closest to me know what we are trying to achieve and the manner in which we want to do it. I cannot give enough credit to the backroom team and what they have done in the last three weeks.

"I would also like to thank fans who have sent messages of support and I ask them to show the same encouragement to the players over the next few games."

Wimbledon have no new injury worries, but striker David Connolly is suspended.

Wimbledon v Crewe
7.45pm, tonight, Selhurst Park

Create a FREE account to continue reading

eros

Registration is a free and easy way to support our journalism.

Join our community where you can: comment on stories; sign up to newsletters; enter competitions and access content on our app.

Your email address

Must be at least 6 characters, include an upper and lower case character and a number

You must be at least 18 years old to create an account

* Required fields

Already have an account? SIGN IN

By clicking Create Account you confirm that your data has been entered correctly and you have read and agree to our Terms of use , Cookie policy and Privacy policy .

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged in