Luke Garrard is delighted he will miss out on Boreham Wood’s FA Trophy clash with AFC Wimbledon on Saturday, as his agreed absence solves a moral dilemma.

The Dons defender is continuing his rehabilitation from a cruciate knee ligament injury suffered last November with a loan spell at the Ryman Premier side.

And with Boreham Wood heading to Kingsmeadow for a cup clash, Garrard is just relieved the clubs had come to a prior arrangement for him not to play.

He said: “As soon as the draw was made there was no chance I was going to play in the game.

“I would never line up against AFC Wimbledon in any way, shape or form so it was not even an issue.

“Having said that I think it will be a really good game.

“Boreham Wood will obviously be the underdogs and that will suit them.

“There is no pressure on them whatsoever.

“But I think Wimbledon will field a pretty strong side as it is a competition they will want to do well in.”

Garrard will remain on loan until January 2 when the deal expires, and he admits he has his sights set on some Blue Square Premier action in the not-too-distant future.

The right back added: “I will be coming back to Wimbledon on January 3 and I will be fighting for my place.

“I had no problem going to Boreham Wood as I just wanted first-team football - it did not matter to me if I was playing in front of five people or 5,000 people.

“I had to be realistic - staying at Wimbledon I was likely to be just sat on the bench and that way I would never have regained my match fitness.

“Having been out for so long there was no way I was just going to walk back into the side and I understood that.

“But Terry Brown has been in contact with me each week and I know he has been keeping an eye on my progress.

“This move has been ideal for me and has put me in good stead for my future.”

AFC Wimbledon’s next three matches: Dec 12 Boreham Wood (FAT, h), 19 Crawley Town (a), 21 Tooting & Mitcham (LSC, a)