NICKY Ajose is keen to rebuild his career with Swindon Town after a frustrating year at Leeds United.

The former Manchester United junior came good on his second debut for Town, scoring late on in the 3-1 win at Crewe. In the process he glossed over what he admitted was a poor performance.

Ajose got a break from the Leeds doldrums at Crewe last season, but there was to be no 'non-celebration' against his former club as he ran over to the travelling fans fists pumping.

The striker admitted to relief at finding the net, especially considering his earlier open goal miss.

Perhaps that passions is why there had been much clamour for the man, who found the net six times in 12 starts whilst on loan from Peterborough in 2013, to make a return to Wiltshire over the summer.

From fervour following the announcement of Ajose’s return to the County Ground and the delight at him scoring his first goal as a full-time Robin it is clear he is a popular man with the Town faithful.

The 23-year-old modestly acknowledged the high regard with which he is held in Swindon when questioned by the local media after Saturday’s win.

“I suppose (I have a bit of a rapport with the Swindon fans),” Ajose accepted.

“I just try and leave everything on the pitch when I play, try and score goals and help the team. I suppose that’s what fans of every team want to see really.

“It’s been difficult for me to come into the game at Crewe. To get a win and last 90 minutes with no knocks I’m really pleased.

“I’ve not played any competitive game or been training at as high a level as this at Leeds.

“I’ve been with the under 18s or under 21s ― whoever they shoved me with really ― not playing any minutes, so to get 90 minutes meant a lot to me.”

The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald:
Nicky Ajose celebrates scoring during his first stint at Town in 2013. In part his form at the County Ground got him the move to Leeds United where he was shunned after multiple managerial switches

During his time at Elland Road Ajose was the victim Leeds owner Massimo Cellino’s impatience with his managerial appointments.

Having been taken to the club by Town legend Dave Hockaday in August 2014, Ajose played in the first four games of last season, but the striker was cast aside when Hockaday was shown the door. The striker only eventually got any playing time last season in his loan spell at Crewe.

Fleeting hope of an opportunity to play for the Championship club disappeared following two friendly appearances this summer under latest Leeds boss Uwe Rosler and it appeared likely Ajose was going to move to Coventry on transfer deadline day.

However on the Wednesday morning came the surprise announcement of his return to Town.

Ajose could have stayed at Leeds, where he was presumably on a better pay deal, but wanted to continue his development by playing first team football.

“I don’t feel I had anywhere near an opportunity (at Leeds),” said Ajose.

“When you’re a Championship club, it would have been very easy to stay there and just not really do anything for the rest of the two years of my contract.

“There was a lot of managers since the owner took over and a lot of things going on ― on and off the field ― maybe I just didn’t fit. It’s one of those things, I’ve managed to get out which is the important thing.

“They didn’t want me there, but it’s not just as simple as that to get out of a football club now. That’s why it took me until one minute to six on the Tuesday.”

Now with the opportunity of a new start at the County Ground Ajose is looking forward to being at somewhere he feels wanted. He is also hopeful he can take the club one step beyond the promotion near-misses of recent years.

“I was hungry to come (to Swindon) and prove to myself that I can play higher,” he added.

“To come out and play regular games is important for me.

“I want to do well here and hopefully help this club go up to next league, they’ve been so close in the last couple of years.

“That’s what dragged me here really.”

However the attraction of going to a club where he feels development is still a possibility was also crucial in choosing Swindon over anywhere else.

“I think a big say in (me coming back) was Luke Williams, who everyone knows is a top drawer coach.

“I said to a few of the boys you need to appreciate the training you get here, because it’s very rare at League One level that you will still be able to improve as a player through training, not just through games.

“One you leave the academy system the standard of coaching does go down, you’ve got a top drawer coach here and so to still be able to improve at 20, 23 or 28 is something you need to appreciate. Once you leave you might see it again.”

The Swindon Advertiser was not permitted to attend Ajose’s press duties at Gresty Road.