AFC Wimbledon’s Adebayo Azeez betrayed little sign of sentiment ahead of tonight’s trip to former club Dagenham & Redbridge.

The Daggers' defeat at Leyton Orient on Saturday’s confirmed their relegation back to the non-league ranks after a nine-year stint in the Football League.

But despite spending a three-month loan spell at Victoria Road two season ago from then parent club Charlton, Azeez adopted a ‘That’s life’ mentality to the plight of his former teammates.

And with precious points towards a playoff place up to grabs for the Dons, the 22-year-old’s only aim is to heap more misery on the east Londoners.

“I have a few friends there, so I feel for them, but it is football, it happens,” he said

“There are always teams who are going to get promoted and those who are going to get relegated. That is what we sign up for.

“It is never easy to see someone relegated because it is people’s livelihood’s, but we all know it is what it is.

Options: Neal Ardley and his AFC Wimbledon strikeforce

“I was there for three months so I was grateful to the manager at the time Wayne Burnett taking me on loan, but obviously I’m an AFC Wimbledon player now and that is where my loyalties are.”

Victory at the other end of the District Line would keep Neal Ardley’s side in pole position for the final League Two play-off spot and the omens are good with Dagenham having managed just two wins on home soil all season.

Asked if there was a danger their hosts would be a less dangerous prospect now they had nothing less to play for, Ardley warned against complacency and challenged his own side to keep the destiny of the points in their hands by living up to their responsibilities.

“Crawley did not have anything to play for (on Saturday) either, but there is personal pride and many are playing for their futures at the club or their future with another club with scouts always watching, so Dagenham are going to go out and give everything,” he said.

“We can’t worry about that. All we can worry about is us, doing our jobs right and making sure if Dagenham are going to get anything from the game they are going to have to be brilliant.”

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