Veteran striker David Connolly has returned to AFC Wimbledon as boss Neal Ardley starts “Operation: replace Matt Tubbs”.

The 37-year-old has made more than 300 appearances, scoring 145 goals, over a 21-year career that also includes 41 international games for the Republic of Ireland.

Connolly spent two seasons at the Dons from 2001, playing alongside Ardley, making 68 appearances and banging in 42 goals.

Since then, the striker has pulled on shirts at West Ham United, Leicester City, Southampton and Portsmouth, before being loaned to Oxford United in January last year and finally returning to Dons on a free yesterday (Thursday).

Ardley told the club’s website: “David is a very good player who is still as sharp as ever.

“We have looked at various options after Matt Tubbs left and we've decided to bring in two forwards rather than one.

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“David is one of those and he trained with us this morning. It was one of the best training sessions I had seen in a long time and he was exceptional. He looks after himself and he is still in great shape.”

He added: "We lost an exceptional striker with Matt leaving, but David is an out-and-out goalscorer. He is certainly one of the best I played with back in my time with Wimbledon.

“We just need to get him up to speed so that when we do start to use him more, he will be ready for that.

“That will happen in the next couple of weeks, but he will certainly be straight into the squad for Saturday and he will give everyone a boost.”