Update from Neil Cox ahead of away game on Tuesday night
Neil Cox said that Jon Meades is not quite ready to make a return to the squad at Scunthorpe United tomorrow night.
Speaking during an interview for Dons Player, our assistant manager confirmed that Meades is progressing well after joining in full training, but he needs more time to get up to speed after an ankle injury.
Neil also said that the management team will check on the fitness of one or two players, before naming a squad to take on promotion contenders Scunthorpe.
“Jon has really stepped up his training and hopefully we can have him back next week,” said Neil. “He has been away to see another physio. Stuart Douglas has done a great job with him, but obviously he has another 22 players to look after so he needed some individual work. He has gone away and done that, but he was really pushing himself in training today. Jon just needs another three or four days of hard work and we will see where he goes from there.
“We have one or two knocks here and there in the squad so we will have a serious look tomorrow and see where we are with it. You could see that the players were all excited to get out there today (after Saturday’s win), even though the weather was not the best. We knew we had to go over one or two things because we have a couple of knocks, just in case we have to change personnel.”
During a busy spell of fixtures for the Dons, Neil added that players aiming to stake a claim for a starting place should follow the example of James Shea, who has become a regular again after taking his chance.
Shea recently passed the 100-mark for AFC Wimbledon appearances in all competitions and Neil praised his attitude since getting back into the team.
“You need players to show good form when they come back in and ‘Sheasy’ has done that,” added Neil. “He has worked really hard and ‘Bayzo’ has done a great job with him. When players get into the team you don’t want them to get settled and think it is too easy. ‘Sheasy’ has pushed himself and we’ve pushed him every day. That is what every player has to do. Nobody is guaranteed a place, they have to earn it, and ‘Sheasy has done that.
“There are a lot of number two keepers out there who have got their opportunities, but not been ready for it. ‘Sheasy’ trained really hard and managed to get back in this season after waiting for his opportunity. That’s what players have to do, not just goalkeepers. Sometimes, especially now, you are going to get your chance. He got his chance and stayed in the side.”
The full interview with Neil Cox is now on Dons Player and an interview with Tom Soares will follow later on our premium channel.