Extensive update from Neil Cox on Dons Player
Neil Cox today confirmed that Lyle Taylor’s foot injury is not as bad as it was initially feared after the Sutton game on Tuesday.
The striker (pictured) hobbled off the pitch following Tuesday’s FA Cup defeat, but after making decent progress, he will be assessed ahead of Saturday’s trip to Chesterfield.
Dean Parrett (bruised ankle), George Francomb (illness), Tom Beere (back) and Andy Barcham (hamstring) all trained today, but Saturday may come too soon for Jon Meades (ankle) to return.
Centre-back Paul Robinson is suspended for Saturday after his red card against Sutton United.
Speaking during an interview for Dons Player, Neil updated us about the fitness of players and spoke about strengthening the club’s position in League 1.
“Lyle has had an X-ray on his foot,” said Neil. “We will know more later, but he seems to be walking a bit better. Dean should be fine as he just has one or two bruises. George trained this morning and so too did Tom, but we are still waiting for more of a report on Jon Meades. Andy has trained and we will know a bit more about him tomorrow.
“We are getting towards a full squad. We have players with knocks and bruises, but they will dust themselves down and get on with it. I thought we put in a great display with 10 men on Tuesday and the supporters were absolutely magnificent. They backed us all the way and that’s all we can ask for. We are still in a good position in the league and we are fighting to push up the table with another couple of good results.”
With 12 days until the transfer window closes, Neil said that the management team were looking hard for reinforcements, without success so far. However, he added that George Oakley and Egli Kaja – back from successful loan spells at Welling United and Lewes respectively – could come into contention.
“We are looking really hard, but there has to be someone out there who is going to be better than what we have got,” said Neil. “We are working on one or two positions, but there is nothing concrete yet. We have to see what becomes available.
“We have a lot of games coming up so they (George and Egli) are going to be in and around it. It is good for young boys to go out on loan and play men’s football. They come back with a sharper eye and a sharper mind. They have joined in today and done well and they are two other players who will pushing to play in the first-team. That is what this football club wants. We want to progress in the league, but we also want young, home-grown players to come into our squad.”
Neil’s full interview with WDON’s Rob Cornell posing the questions is now on Dons Player, along with an interview with Chris Robertson.