AFC Wimbledon are lining up a move for another striker following David Connolly’s decision to retire from football.

The 37-year-old former Republic of Ireland international joined the Dons in January after his Portsmouth contract was cancelled by mutual consent.

Connolly decided to take up an offer from his old Wimbledon team-mate Neal Ardley to lead the line at Kingsmeadow.

He scored a dramatic last-minute winner in a 3-2 triumph over Luton Town but has decided he was unable to continue playing and has called time on his career.

Neal and I decided that we would take it month by month in terms of assessing whether I could deliver physically at my age,” Connolly told the club’s website.

“As time has gone on I felt that starting games was difficult and so too was travelling up and down the country to come off the bench for 10 minutes or so.

“I pulled Neal aside for a heart to heart chat and I felt that now was the time to call it a day.”

Connolly’s departure leaves Wimbledon short of options up front, with hotshot Matt Tubbs having left for Pompey in January.

However, Ardley is understood to have lined up a replacement for the retired striker and a deal is expected to be announced next week prior to Saturday’s trip to Exeter.

“I have total respect for David,” Ardley added.

“He feels that the money we are paying him would be better spent on someone who can start games.

“He does not feel he is that person. That is a rare quality to accept that. I tried to talk him around, but his mind was made up.”

Connolly was not part of the squad which recorded a 2-1 win over York City at the weekend to end a run of three games without a win.