Ryan Johnson returned to our defence on Good Friday after a lengthy injury lay-off and the popular centre-back already has his next target in mind.
It had been over two months since “Johnno” was ruled out with an ankle injury, but he came through a 90-minute workout in our 1-1 draw with Harrogate, before we head to the League Two leaders and his previous club Stockport on Easter Monday.
“It will be nice to see a few familiar faces, but I am there to win,” Ryan said after fully recovering. “It’ll be a big game for us, so hopefully we can come away with three points and keep moving up the table.”
After making his 33rd appearance for the Dons, Ryan said, “I’m not feeling bad. I had to get the rust out of my system for the first twenty minutes, as I assumed everyone could see, but it’s great to be back out there.
“I’m just disappointed that we didn’t win in the end, but the guys gave everything they had.
“We said in the dressing room after Harrogate that we have five games left, so anything
“I’ve noticed a few other results that went our way, which is sometimes what you need. We just need to focus on ourselves and, as clichéd as it sounds, take each game as it comes. That is how important it is.
“We’re going to Stockport on Monday, and hopefully we’ll come back with three points.”
Joe Lewis, his defensive partner for the majority of the season, came on for a few minutes near the end. The Bank Holiday fixture will also be his first return to Edgeley Park since joining the Dons on a permanent basis in January.
“He had a brief cameo near the end and almost scored a goal by getting on the end of a cross,” Ryan said. “It was great to have him back, and as we approach the final few games, we need everyone fit and ready.
“Hopefully, with Armani Little returning in the not-too-distant future, we will be good to go.”
Ryan also commented on Ronan Curtis’ dismissal after he scored our equaliser, his fourth goal for the Dons since joining us in the previous transfer window.
“I didn’t see much of it, actually,” Ryan admitted. “I’m sure everyone on the field, including myself, was taken aback when the red card was shown. These types of decisions alter games. I believe we responded well and finished the game on the front foot and on top.
“Ronan sets big goals for us. It was a good finish, and he maintains his composure around the box. We’re glad to have him here, and it was a good moment for us.”
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