Andy Frampton is facing the toughest decision in football in the face of a possible career-ending injury, says Dons boss Neal Ardley.

The 35-year-old defender missed the start of the League Two season after breaking his ankle in training in August.

He made his return as skipper in the Dons famous win at the franchise in October's Johnstone's Paint Trophy.

However, after limping off in the FA Cup at York City at the beginning of November, Frampton has suffered set-backs in training leading to further scans on his crocked ankle.

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Ardley said: "His ankle is not good – he had in injection to clear some of the fluid, but he's not in a good place right now.

"It's a question of whether he'll need an operation that he does not want, and if that is the case, he’ll be sat there, scratching his head at the age of 35 wondering what he does next.

"The specialist might tell him that it his ankle is going to keep breaking down, and Andy will say I don’t want that.

"Let’s wait and see over the next few days, see how he feels and where he’s going."