Management will check on winger's fitness ahead of Scunthorpe
Neil Cox said that a check will be made on Chris Whelpdale’s fitness before the squad is named for tomorrow night’s match against Scunthorpe United.
The winger was forced off with a groin injury after netting on his return to Peterborough United last Tuesday and he was not deemed fit enough to be involved against Bolton.
Speaking during an interview for Dons Player, Neil said: “Chris trained this morning, but I think we will leave it another 24 hours to see how he is. We will probably know more tomorrow before we make a final decision on him.”
Jon Meades has yet to play a competitive game so far this season due to an ankle injury, but Neil reported that the full-back has made good progress.
“Jon is looking fitter and stronger,” said Neil. “He has had another training day and we will have a look at Jon tomorrow and see how his ankle has reacted to a hard session. Jon is looking a lot stronger so hopefully there will be some good news on him.”
Plotting to beat Scunthorpe United tomorrow has special significance for Neil as it is the club he supported as a boy. In addition, Neil started his playing days at The Iron alongside current Scunthorpe United manager Graham Alexander.
“I was born and bred in Scunthorpe and they gave me an opportunity to play first-team football,” recalled Neil. “I played 17 games before being sold to Aston Villa. I used to live right next to the old stadium (The Old Show Ground) and jump over the fence to get into games! Their results are still the first I look for.
“My old mate Graham is manager now and we were apprentices together at Scunthorpe. I am looking forward to it and I wish him well, but hopefully we can get a result tomorrow night. They had a good run of form at the end of last season and they’ve strengthened their squad. They are strong for this league and I think they will be one of the teams to beat this season.
“I think that every team will show us respect. They will have seen us playing in the final and in the last eight games of last season. They will have done their homework on us. Bolton showed us a lot of respect and I know Gary really well. He will go into every detail, including their defensive set-up, to make sure they do not get punished.”
The Dons have certainly been made to pay for defensive lapses so far this season, but Neil believes his side are not far away from gaining a first victory.
“We’ve lost three matches, but we’ve been in every game,” said Neil. “You make your own luck, but I’m sure it will come. I think the performances have been good, not brilliant, but we’ve just been punished for little errors. We win together and we lose together.”
to view a short clip of Lyle’s interview.You Tube . An interview with Lyle Taylor is also on our premium channel. Click on Dons PlayerThe full five-minute update from Neil Cox is now on