Bristol Rovers striker Ayunga feared coronavirus would scupper his switch from Hawks

The Hawks' leading scorer with 23 goals last term completed a move to Rovers for an undisclosed fee on a two-year deal last week.

The striker was rumoured to be attracting interest from a host of Football League clubs as the goals flowed for him throughout the campaign.

Ayunga revealed he first learnt Rovers were keeping tabs on him in January, but they did not make their move then.

Just two months later, the Hawks' National League South campaign was halted and a blanket ban placed on sport in the country because of the coronavirus.

It left Ayunga uncertain whether the Gasheads would maintain their interest in him.

‘I think they (Rovers) had been watching me for a few months,’ he told The News.

‘There were a few rumours saying they were watching me in January but nothing came about then.

‘Coming into the last few games of the season we were in lockdown and it went from there.

‘To be honest, until we came out of lockdown and we went into the play-offs, I didn’t think there was much chance of anything happening.

‘I’m glad it got sorted in the end.’

Ayunga's response has been an impressive one since breaking his fibula and dislocating his ankle following a bad tackle during a loan spell in Ireland three years ago.

The forward was subsequently released from Brighton & Hove Albion without making a senior appearance in the summer of 2018.

But he was picked up by Paul Doswell, who was then Sutton boss, before following him to Westleigh Park last summer.

Now Ayunga is set to challenge one of League One's hottest strikers Jonson Clarke-Harris - who netted 13 goals for Rovers in 2019/20 - for a starting spot next season.

And it's a task he is relishing.

‘I know the guy they’ve got at the moment Clarke-Harris was banging them in last season,' Ayunga added.

‘So it’s tough competition but I hope I can do well there.

‘I know I’m going to get my chances, I’ve just got to make sure I take them.'