Midfielder to boost fitness for Under-21s
Tom Beere will be hoping for a more positive experience against Plymouth Argyle tomorrow as he steps up his fitness in tomorrow’s Under-21 Premier League Cup tie at Home Park.
The 20-year-old, who was on the bench at Yeovil on Saturday, suffered a foot injury in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy exit at the hands of Plymouth almost two weeks ago. At the time of his departure, the Dons held a 2-0 lead, before Plymouth turned the match on its head, and Beere (pictured above) has not played since.
Speaking during an interview for Dons Player, Alan Reeves said: “Tom was pencilled in to play for us last Tuesday, but we decided at the last minute not to put him in. If he had got another knock on his foot it might have put him back again so we have given him another week. We will see how Tom’s fitness is after the game tomorrow.
“I have a few players in my squad that were on the bench for the first-team on Saturday. Tom, Egli Kaja and Ryan Sweeney will all be involved. The only player I have out is George Pilbeam, who is getting closer to fitness now. We are pretty much at full strength for the Under-21s.”
Winger David Fitzpatrick, who missed the 3-1 victory against AFC Bournemouth last Tuesday, has shrugged off an ankle injury to make the squad.
As a category three academy club, AFC Wimbledon are in the first qualifying round of the national competition. A total of 47 teams are entered with category one academy clubs, including holders Southampton, entering at the last-32 stage.
In contrast to the Final Third Development League, competition rules state that clubs can only field three outfield players over the age of 21.
And the Dons will go into tomorrow’s match with plenty of confidence after two wins out of two in the Final Third Development League.
“We have not got any outfield players over the age of 21 for tomorrow and I am assuming they will be young too due to the competition rules,” Alan Reeves added. “Plymouth’s first-team like to play out from the back and play good football and I am assuming their Under-21 side will be the same. In fairness to my lads, it does not matter who they play against because they invariably give their all. So far this season, everything they have given me has been good enough.
“It is just about consistency. After the Cambridge game I said they had set the bar quite high and last week against Bournemouth they repeated that level of performance. There will be dips in performance during the season, but one thing they know I will not allow is a dip in work-rate. I know all of these boys will give me that every week.”
The full interview with Alan Reeves is on Dons Player.
Entry prices are £4 for adults and £2 concessions at tomorrow’s game (2.00 pm kick-off).