After 24 days away from the action, AFC Wimbledon striker Lyle Taylor was chomping at the bit to get back – and he’s reaped the benefits from adversity.

The 25-year-old, right, was sent off in controversial circumstances during the 1-1 draw at Mansfield Town on September 5.

Taylor’s three-match ban robbed the Dons of his pace in League Two games with Yeovil Town, Notts County and Luton Town.

But he returned on Tuesday night against Northampton Town, and he could have won the Dons all the points.

“Twenty-four days. It feels like I have been away for ages, and it’s been tough, especially when I know it was not a sending off,” he said.

“But I have been working hard and staying strong, and I am feeling fit and I really want to kick on.

“I could not wait to get back playing because watching from the sidelines is really tough.”

Picture gallery: AFC Wimbledon boss trying hard not to be a broken record

He added: “I should have scored that goal [against Northampton].

“Jake Reeves found me with a great pass and I think my touch was too good, because it stopped the ball dead and that threw me.

“There were other chances we should have taken, and although we keep saying it, we have to start being more clinical.”

He added: “We should have won the game, we had enough chances to do it, but at least we’re creating chances and it will click, it will happen.”

Taylor was recruited by Ardley in the summer, and he has found the young manager’s style suits him perfectly.

He said: “The gaffer is a real motivator and he brings new ideas to the training pitch. “There are not many managers who can motivate you with a simple ‘you can do it’, but the gaffer has that ability.

“There are a lot of young players in the squad, and the gaffer is excellent with them.”