Will Nightingale reckons the sky is the limit when it comes to what AFC Wimbledon can achieve in League One.

The Dons kick off their inaugural season in the third tier of domestic football on August 6 at Walsall, and the 20-year-old is champing at the bit to get going.

Nightingale got another 70 minutes under his belt in Tuesday night’s 2-0 friendly win at Raynes Park Vale as he continues comeback from a knee injury that robbed him of the majority of last season.

But now the central defender has his eye on a place in the back four, and he is hoping to face some of the League One big guns.

“League One will be a better standard with better players and bigger clubs such as Charlton and Bolton," he said.

“But everyone is quietly confident, and we all know that the sky is the limit.

“Staying in the league and establishing ourselves is vital, but I cannot see a reason why we cannot push for the play-offs again.”

He added: “The gaffer [Neal Ardley] is an intelligent man and he has made some good signings – the new boys look tasty and sharp.”

Nightingale broke into the Dons first team in January 2015, but he lasted only four games before injury ended his season.

He made his come-back in August in the Capital One Cup, but again injury meant he would only make five first team appearances – until making his return in the final regular game of the season against Newport County.

He said: “I have had bad luck over the past couple of years with injury, but I have been in the gym most days working hard to get stronger.

“With a bit of luck and a run of games in the first team, I am going to push my way into the first team.

“Tuesday night’s game was not of the highest standard, but it was all about getting minutes on the pitch.”

He added: “Although I was getting back in the squad at the end of last season I knew it was too soon to be involved at Wembley.

“But the club were great allowing me to join in the preparation, and although it was frustrating that I could not play, the fact we won made it easier to bear.”

He added: “I know my time will come – I am only young, and hopefully there will be more successes to come.”