First-teamers will tonight gain valuable game-time in Wimbledon's London Senior Cup first round match at Haringey Borough (7.45 pm kick-off).
Dapo Mebude, George Marsh, Aaron Pressley (pictured) and Ethan Chislett will add experience to a young squad featuring Under-18s and players that have impressed out on loan, including Jack Currie and Alfie Bendle.
The Dons will be aiming to make progress in a competition that the club has won six times, most recently in 2014, and we came so close to making it seven last season with a narrow defeat against Tooting & Mitcham in the final.
Rob Tuvey and James Simmonds will take charge of the team for tonight’s match as the Dons return to Coles Park Stadium in North London for the first time since a televised 1-0 FA Cup win in 2018.
Ahead of the match, which will be played on Haringey's 4G pitch, Rob explained our approach to this competition and the importance of giving first-teamers a fitness edge for the challenges ahead.
“We’ve got players within our squad that need minutes and as we are going into a busy period we want to make sure that everyone is ready if they are called upon," said Rob. "It’s a chance for us to get them working within the structure of play that we are building.
“In the past few weeks we’ve been really keen to make sure we have a keen structure in terms of what we are working on, both with and without the ball. It’s an opportunity for those players that haven’t been getting minutes to put it into practice.
“Last season in this competition we used a host of players from Under-16s all the way through to the first-team. We will be looking to get through the rounds and pick up a bit of silverware after getting to the final last season. The club has got a lot of history in this competition.
“The reports we’ve had back about the players on loan have been really good and we want to also give them the opportunity to perform in a Wimbledon shirt. Hopefully, they can build upon the great form they are showing at their loan clubs.”
The squad for tonight is as follows: Zaki Oualah, Aaron Jones, Huseyin Biler, Luke Jenkins, Reuben Mason, Josh Hallard, Jack Currie, Alfie Bendle, George Marsh, Ethan Chislett, Dapo Mebude, Aaron Pressley, Zach Robinson, Quaine Bartley, Kwaku Frimpong, Abdi Ali.
Entry prices for Tuesday night: Adults and Concessions £5, Under-18s free.
Address: Coles Park Stadium, White Hart Lane, London N17 7JP.