Leicester City loanee has unfinished business in League Two and discusses AFC Wimbledon loan switch

AFC Wimbledon loanee Kasey McAteer believes he has something to prove in League Two after failing to have the impact he wanted during his stint at Forest Green Rovers last season.

The 21-year-old joined the Dons on deadline day in the winter transfer window. He has made three cameo appearances off the bench under Johnnie Jackson.

But unlike most Premier League youngsters on loan in League Two, this is not McAteer’s first taste of senior football. The Northampton-born versatile midfielder spent the second half of last season at Forest Green, who were gunning for promotion to League One.

Despite making a handful of substitute appearances, McAteer failed to start once in the fourth tier for Rob Edwards’ eventual league champions.

“If I’m being perfectly honest, it was a tough one,” McAteer told the South London Press of his spell at The New Lawn. “I went in during January, the team was firing, and I knew it was going to be a hard task. At the end of the loan spell, I didn’t play as much as I wanted to.

“On the other hand, I learned a lot – understanding a winning mentality, what it takes to win a league title and being around it every day.

“It was my first loan and I have a lot of respect for the people at Forest Green. It helped me massively in coming to Wimbledon, as I have been in this league before.

“I feel as though I’m here to prove a point. I feel that, with my own ability, I can play well in this league and give the Wimbledon fans what they want to see and strive towards where we want to be at the end of the season.”

McAteer has been in and around Leicester’s first team under ex-Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers for some time, training with the likes of Youri Tielemans, Harvey

Barnes and James Maddison and travelling in matchday squads for Premier League games.

“I spoke with him (Rodgers) during the camp we had in Abu Dhabi during the World Cup break about going out on loan,” said McAteer. “He told me he wanted me to go out there and feel the pressure of playing in a stadium in front of fans, then try and express myself in the best way possible.

“I couldn’t be more thankful for the chance to come to Wimbledon.

“I know what he (Rodgers) wants and expects from me, so I will do my utmost best to keep that sort of promise that I gave and do my all now for Johnnie Jackson.”

McAteer joined the Foxes academy at the age of eight and made his first-team debut in the 4-0 win over Newcastle United last season.

“That day is hard to put into words,” said McAteer, who replaced Maddison in the 88th minute at the King Power Stadium.

“It’s something that I never thought would happen. When I stepped on to the pitch, I thought: ‘This is not happening – I can’t be playing in a Premier League game.’

“It was a dream come true for me and my family. It’s a moment I will always treasure. Being a professional footballer is the only thing I have ever wanted to do in my life. Ever since I could walk, I have been playing football. My dad spent countless hours in the park or in the garden with me, teaching me things. It’s a privilege to call it your job.”

McAteer’s move to the Dons was finalised in the last hour of the winter window.

“It was a frantic one, to say the least,” he said. “I got a call at 5pm when I was home in Northampton. I quickly got everything together and drove down the M25 to get to Wimbledon.

“The deal was done at around 10:45pm. All that mattered was that we managed to get there in the end.

“I had known about Wimbledon before in the back of my mind, especially in the old days with the likes of Vinnie Jones and Dennis Wise. It was an opportunity I couldn’t turn down.”

Ryley Towler and Paris Maghoma both caught the eye during the first half of the season. The loan duo, who were on a season-long stint from Bristol City and Brentford, performed so well under Jackson at Plough Lane that they were snapped up by clubs higher up the football pyramid in the winter window.

Centre-back Towler made a permanent move to Portsmouth, while Maghoma was recalled by Brentford and loaned to a struggling Milton Keynes side.

“I feel as though the club is giving me the chance to show what I’m about,” said McAteer. “I believe I can bring a lot to this league.”

The Dons, who have picked up three draws on the bounce, are seven points off the top seven in League Two heading into this weekend’s clash at Gillingham.

Speaking on waiting to make his full debut, McAteer said: “I’m ready for whenever I’m called upon, but I understand situations and that there are other players as well – the gaffer can’t please everyone. He knows I’m here and ready. I’m itching to start and I’m hungry for it.

“We want to push for the play-offs. We’re determined to finish as high as we can and take the fans on a journey with us.”