Reeves remains doubtful for Daggers game
AFC Wimbledon manager Neal Ardley is hoping to have left-back Jon Meades and striker Tom Elliott available for selection for the trip to Dagenham and Redbridge.
The Dons boss is less optimistic about the possibility of midfielder Jake Reeves being able to face the relegated Daggers though.
Meades (pic) had to come off with a facial injury in Saturday’s 1-0 victory over Crawley Town at The Cherry Red Records Stadium. Elliott was ruled out due to illness and Reeves was absent due to injury.
“We’re hopeful on Meades and Elliott, but less hopeful with Reeves,” summed up Neal in an interview to Dons Player. “We’re glad to have got Connor Smith through the Crawley game, but I think Jake is the one that is going to be unlikely.”
“We’ve gone about things in the usual way today. We gave the choice to the players that started as to how they feel and what they want and some of them wanted to do the recovery strategy and some wanted to get outside and work on the training field and we leave that up to them. There’s been some intense work and we’ve got an idea of how we’ll go about tomorrow and we’ll tackle that in the afternoon.”
Wimbledon travel to The Chigwell Construction Stadium off the back of three victories and in the last play-off place, while Dagenham and Redbridge exited the Football League at the weekend after a nine-year stay. They lost 3-2 at play-off rivals Leyton Orient, who visit the Dons on Saturday.
minute Jamie Cureton goal being the difference in a 1-0 victory for the visitors. The Daggers also beat the Dons 4-0 in this fixture last April, with Cureton grabbing a hat-trick on that occasion.thThey have won just six games all season, but one of those was the fixture last November between the two sides at Kingsmeadow with an 80
Neal knows the travelling support can make a big difference on the night, with the Dons having sold out their allocation.
“With their attendances, it would almost make it a home game,” said Neal. “I think their pitch is in reasonable condition so it should be a decent game. Obviously it’s sad they’ve fallen out of the league this time around and it’s been tough for them and we hope it doesn’t give them a renewed vigour for our game tomorrow.”
. Daggers Defender Callum Kennedy and winger Sean Rigg both came on as substitutes in Saturday’s vital home win, having both worked hard to get back into contention. They also value the Dons support and were in good spirits ahead of the game. A clip of their interview for Dons Player can be viewed by clicking on
Neal Ardley’s update ahead of the game is now available to Dons Player subscribers and the full eight minute interview with Callum Kennedy and Sean Rigg will be available on our premium channel tomorrow.