Jamie Stuart will have to keep his head while all around him are losing theirs when AFC Wimbledon debut in the Football League on Saturday.

The new Dons skipper will lead the team out in front of a sold-out Kingsmeadow full of Dons fans in jubilant mood.

But 34-year-old Stuart knows it will be up him to keep the rest of Dons squad focused on events on the pitch rather than those off of it.

“It will be a great honour to lead the club out on Saturday,” he said.

“It is the first day back in the league and it is going to be a great day for everyone.

“But for the team and management it is just for us to get points on the board as quick as we can.

“So, although it is going to be a great atmosphere, we have got to go into the game 100 per cent focused and get as many points out of it as we can.”

Stuart captained the club for the first time in the 3-2 Carling Cup preliminary round defeat to Crawley Town last Friday night.

He replaced the departed Danny Kedwell as skipper and confessed he was delighted to take on the extra responsibility ahead of the season’s start.

“It is something I am chuffed with and for me it is a great honour to be captain of this club,” he said.

“They were big boots to fill when Danny left, he was a legend here and a fans’ hero, but with me I will give 110 per cent. I am a natural leader.

“I will talk and encourage, it is something my character allows me to do.”