Frankie Merrifield wants to be the beating heart at the centre of Hayes & Yeading’s season of progression this term.

The former AFC Wimbledon hotshot made more than 40 appearances for United last year following his release from the Dons.

Things did not go to plan for Phil Babb’s side though and they were relegated from the Conference South before earning a dramatic reprieve over the summer.

Merrifield remained at the club to help United push on to bigger and better things in 2014 and is looking for a steady improvement in fortunes in his second season.

“There’s more experience this year,” he said.

“The gaffer wanted to get an experienced group together, which is great in my eyes because last season we lost games when we shouldn’t have.

“This year we can hold on and dig in deep. That’s what it’s all about.

“We want to stay up and I think we’ll be mid-table. That would be progression from last year of course and that’s what we’re looking for.

In action: Frankie Merrifield

“You’ve got to be realistic sometimes and the gaffer has been realistic. If we can finish mid-table this year then next year we can push on.”

Merrifield’s rise through the ranks at Wimbledon came as a central midfielder.

Babb has asked him to patrol the flanks at times during his United career and while he is happy to play anywhere across the midfield, the 20-year-old is certain of his best role.

“Central midfield is my position,” he said.

“I played out wide a few times last season and got a couple of goals. The gaffer knows I can play out there and I will do if he needs me to. I prefer to play in the middle though – that’s where I was at Wimbledon and it’s my natural position.”

Hayes & Yeading’s reasonable start to the season continued with a hard-earned 1-1 draw on the road at Hemel Hempstead on Saturday, Pat Cox grabbing the goal.

“That’s Coxy at his best,” said Merrifield. “He does it week in, week out for us and we know what we’re going to get from him. It’s good because he can hold it up, he can win flick-ons to give me the ball and then we can start playing from there. He’s a great striker.”

Cox will be battling to keep his start spot with new signing Affy Obafemi, who joined this week after being released by Dagenham & Redbridge.

Elsewhere in the Conference South, bottom side Wealdstone’s problems grew deeper following a 3-0 defeat at home to a St Albans side who United take on in the FA Cup second qualifying round on Sunday.

The Stones have an all-Conference South tie with Concord Rangers on Saturday.