New loan signing Gareth Gwillim admits he would jump at the chance to join AFC Wimbledon permanently should the opportunity arise.

Dagenham & Redbridge full-back Gwillim will be at Kingsmeadow until the end of the current campaign, having made his Dons debut in the FA Trophy defeat to Woking last weekend.

And the 27-year-old has high hopes for his time with Terry Brown’s men.

Gwillim said: “I would absolutely love to join AFC Wimbledon on a full-time basis.

“Obviously if Dagenham & Redbridge want me to go back I will do, but the truth is I just want to be playing games.

“I have gone from playing 50 or so games a season to playing something like four and I hate it.

“I am not the type of player who happily sits on the bench and picks up a paycheque.

“I think that is cheating yourself and cheating your club.

“I knew Terry had been interested in me for some time and when the opportunity came up I could not wait to get down here.”

Having picked up a reputation as one of the better full-backs in the Conference during his time at Histon, Gwillim’s career has stalled since his switch to the League One club.

But, having turned out against Woking and then Fleetwood Town on Tuesday night, the defender has had his enthusiasm rekindled.

Gwillim added: “It is fantastic just to be out there on the pitch.

“I have not really had a good run-out in months and my lungs and legs were feeling it against Woking.

“But I got through that and then did pretty well at Fleetwood, and I think I will keep getting better.”

That sentiment has been backed by boss Brown, who reckons it will be some time before the long-throw expert really hits his stride.

Brown said: “Gareth is quality and we are delighted to have him.

“But we have to remember he has played so little football this season and I think it will take him some time to get up to scratch.

“What he does have though is real quality and he will be a massive asset to us over the remainder of the season.”