HASNEY Aljofree believes Town fans can start looking forward to a new era at the County Ground – and the defender is determined to be a part of it.

Swindon’s club captain has been sidelined since December with a knee injury and cut a frustrated figure in the stands as his teammates battled, ultimately successfully, against the League One drop.

Since his spell on the treatment table, manager Danny Wilson has arrived in Wiltshire and Aljofree knows he need to make a quick impression on his new boss.

But he is confident the hot seat change will reap its rewards next season.

“It’s been frustrating watching the lads and not being able to play, because all I’ve done for the last 15 years is run around, train every day and play on a Saturday,” said Aljofree.

“One of the biggest things for me has been that I’ve been unable to help the lads out.

“You can do your bit vocally, but you want to be out on pitch and doing something about it.

“It’s been a very frustrating season for everyone involved. I’m glad we’ve stayed up and next year will be a big year for the club.

“When a new manager comes in everyone starts with a clean slate and they either like you or they don’t – that’s just football.

“But I’ll be hoping to get back in the team and impress.

“There was big promise at the start of this season but it just fizzled out very quickly and it became a bit of a grind.

“But I really can’t see it being like this next year. The manager has come in, changed everyone’s thoughts and set standards, and there is a real belief around the place.

“Just watching him and his work ethic, I would imagine that it will be good next season.”

Aljofree hasn’t featured for Town in 2009 after being forced off during the home defeat against Yeovil before Christmas.

The skipper went under the surgeon’s knife in January to cure the wear-and-tear injury, and is plotting a return to first team action a month into the new campaign.

“I’m coming along ok, but it’s just a slow process,” revealed the 30-year-old.

“I’m not allowed to run until July, so it’s just a slow process. I’m down the gym every day, swimming, on a bike, upper body work, and that’s as far as it goes for me.

“I’ll have my own pre-season to do and it will be double what the rest of the lads have got, but as long as I keep progressing like I am, the surgeon says hopefully I will be back by the start of September.”