Dons take on Newcastle United tonight
AFC Wimbledon Under-18s manager Mark Robinson has named his squad for tonight’s FA Youth Cup tie at Newcastle United.
Mark is able to call-on the heroes of the last round at Watford in December with no fresh injury concerns ahead of the tie at St James’ Park.
Only Dom Bongo, Jayden Antwi and Reece Batchelor are currently unavailable due to injury.
Mark Robinson says that the FA Youth Cup provides a great opportunity for players to impress as they look to earn professional deals – and that is the ultimate incentive for them.
“The players are not doing themselves any harm with the way that they are performing in the FA Youth Cup,” said Mark. “When we have played what we consider our strongest side with second year Under-18s and players in form I don’t think we have lost this season. But it’s about development so we have been mixing it up a bit.
“We have shown that there is talent in the squad, but now it is about pushing them forward as players. I have been giving them profiles and roles to give them the best possible chance of earning contracts.
“Anyone who watched the game at Watford will have seen that we have technically good footballers. But if they are going to get contracts, what is it that people are going to say ‘I have to have him because he does that?’ It is about giving them a profile that will give them the best chance. For example, I wanted Alfie Egan to be a box-to-box midfielder and get goals and assists. I have been doing that with everyone in the squad.”
AFC Wimbledon’s squad for tonight at Newcastle is as follows: Will Mannion, Jack Wingate, David Omperon, George Marchant, Emmanuel Mensah, Toby Sibbick, Paul Kalambayi, Seanan McKillop, Jason Stripp, Alfie Egan, Toyosi Olusanya, Neset Bellikli, Dan Ano, Reece Williams-Bowers, Nathan Wood, Judah Chapman.