Ashley Bayes has been exposed as the new AFC Wimbledon club joker after his antics in Monza left his team-mates in stitches.

According to boss Neal Ardley, the goalkeeping coach was instrumental in the week-long trip to Monza being the perfect team bonding session ahead of the new season.

It was not all laughs and banter, however, as Ardley used three of the five training sessions in Italy to concentrate solely on defensive tactics.

There was also the small matter of the rematch of the 1976 Anglo-Italian Cup final against Monza Brianza 1912 – which ended 3-0 to the Italian side. But while the result was disappointing, the team spirit on the plane home was not.

Ardley said: “It was great to spend time together as a team and as friends. When you’re living in eachother’s pockets during the season, getting to know everyone away from the training pitch is great.

“We really enjoyed everyone’s company and you find out what people are really like.

“Ashley [Bayes] turned out to as silly as a sausage. We could not stop laughing at his jokes and funny sayings.

“Now everyone at the club has taken on his sayings, he’s a real character. And we love that, it is great.”

The Dons’ League Two campaign kicks off on Saturday at Torquay United.