Preview for under-21s trip to Cambridge
AFC Wimbledon coach Alan Reeves has added three players to his under-21 squad ahead of tomorrow’s trip to Cambridge United in the Final Third Development League.
Rather than cast his eye over trialists though, the former Wimbledon defender has delved into the club’s thriving youth system and added defenders Callum Wilson and Ryan Sweeney and midfielder Dan Gallagher (pictured) to his pool of players to choose from.
“Afterhaving had a number of trialists in and rather than going down that route, we’ve promoted three of the under-18s squad who will train with me and play for me on the Tuesdays, when we have the games. Dan and Ryan join Ben Harrison, Callum has been injured but when he’s fit he’ll be with us as well. We’ve got Ben and George Pilbeam, so if Callum is not playing for me on Tuesdays, he can play for the under-18son Saturdays. They are all still available for the FA Youth Cup.” explained Reeves.
It will be only the Dons second league game of the season, after a creditable draw at Leyton Orient and after their first home game against Bournemouth was called off due to a waterlogged pitch at their new homegroundof Merstham FC.
TheteamknockedBournemouth out of the Under-21 Premier League Cup, only for Charlton Athletic – led by Alan’s former Dons team-mate Jason Euell – to put Wimbledon out at the next stage.
“It was a difficult game, they had a very strong side out. Apart from twenty to twenty five minutes at the start of the second half, I thought we competed well against them, but they were the better side than us on the evening and deservedly went through,” he summed up.
First teamers Kevin Sainte-Luce and Adebayo Azeez are also in the squad for the trip and Reeves is further boosted by in-form midfielder Tom Beere declaring himself fit again after recovering from an injured toe, picked up in first team training.
“We’ve got a couple of first team players playing – Kevin and Ade is playing as well. I didn’t think Tom Beere was fit but he’s trained today and seemed to come through it fine,so he’ll play as well. Billy Frost and Dan would have played for me in centre midfield, but I’ve had to pull Frosty this morning and give him the news that Tom has told me he is fit, but he’s taken it on the chin and will be on the bench,” revealed the Dons boss.