Defender set to feature in Under-21s match
Will Nightingale has been named in a strong squad for AFC Wimbledon’s Final Third Development League opener at Cambridge United tomorrow.
Weather permitting, our Under-21s will face the U’s at their training ground (1.00 pm kick-off) just a week after a first-team clash between the two clubs. This match has been brought forward after agreement between the clubs and approval from the league, Wimbledon Under-21s having been due to start playing for points in early September.
Centre-back Nightingale (pictured) will be joined in the side by Joe McDonnell, Ade Azeez and David Fitzpatrick with all four having been substitutes last week against Cambridge.
Speaking during an interview for Dons Player, Under-21s coach Alan Reeves said: “They all got plenty of minutes during pre-season, but since then they have not been playing many games. They need 90 minutes under their belts because you never know when they might be needed for the first-team.
“There are lads in my squad that we need to keep ticking over too. When we played Cambridge last week I spoke to their coaching staff to see if we could arrange a game for this week. The league were okay with it so we are ready to go.
“Richard Money advised us after the game last week to put out a strong squad because they are intending to do the same. Cambridge have a big squad this season and they got beat 3-0 on Saturday so I think the manager will want to have a look at a few players who have not been involved.”
Following an encouraging 2014/15 season at development level with several players progressing into the first-team, Alan Reeves is determined to maintain that upward momentum for home-grown academy products.
The full interview with Alan is now on Dons Player.