Manager Johnnie Jackson will give Jack Currie as much time as possible to be fit for Saturday’s League Two clash at Prenton Park with Tranmere Rovers.

The young Dons defender, who has already appeared three times in the League Two team of the week in his breakthrough season, had to come off in the first half of our FA Cup first round replay victory over Weymouth in midweek.

“He’s going to be touch-and-go for the game,” said Johnnie after Friday training and before the Dons set off from our New Malden base. “He had that knock during the week, so we’ve been monitoring him closely. He’ll travel with the group, and we’ll make a late call on Jack.

“I was really pleased for Huseyin Biler when he made his home debut in the cup. It was a big game for him and a big moment when he came on. He was well prepared, knowing that if he did have to be called upon early that he’d be ready. Fair play to the lad, he was excellent when he came on for Jack, he really embraced that role. He gave us a really good attacking outlet and also defended really well.

“There are no further problems. We called upon some different lads on Tuesday night and they all came in and did the job that was asked of them, competed well and came through it unscathed. The guys that came back from injury, Alex Pearce and George Marsh, we limited their minutes. They’ll be better for that.”

Hosts Tranmere are four places above us in the table and three points better off, but we travel there on the back of an eight-game unbeaten run in all competitions.

“They had a really bright start to the season,” said Johnnie. “They’re a good team, good outfit, well drilled, Micky Mellon has got them in a really good place. They’ve got players in the forward areas that can really hurt you.

“They get a lot of crosses into the box and two good front men that feed off that supply that they get from wide areas. We’re going to be up against it, in regard to defending those crosses, defending our box, having a good shape about us and trying to stop the source. Knowing that at times we’re going to have to defend, we need to stand up against that and exploit areas going forward.”

Although we’re getting used to having to do without Chris Gunter, Johnnie is excited at the prospect of us having representation at the World Cup with the most-capped player for Wales currently on duty out in Qatar.

“We’re disappointed that we lose Chris for the games that he’ll be away and we don’t know for how long that will be for, at present,” said Johnnie. “But I think it’s fantastic for the football club to have a representative out there and I’m delighted for Chris, personally, that he’s got an opportunity to play in a World Cup.

“Hopefully he gets some game time and I wish him and Wales all the very best – apart from when they play England!”

Photos: Pro Sports Images.

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