Midfielder Anthony Hartigan is likely to be ruled out of Saturday's home game against Morecambe, having been in hospital for tests.
“He had really bad stomach pains after the game in midweek,” said Head Coach Mark Robinson. “We’re investigating what it could be, but there’s a few things that have been ruled out already. We’re hoping it’s nothing serious. At the moment we’re thinking it could be from exertion because his stats for the night were off the scale in terms of the ground he covered!
“It probably does rule him out of the Morecambe game. Even if it’s not anything serious, he’s been in hospital having tests. He hasn’t done a lot of preparation and he was in a lot of pain, so we’re just waiting to hear back, but he was absolutely outstanding in midweek.
“The big thing with Anthony is that we hope he’s healthy, but when something like this happens it opens up an opportunity for someone else who possibly hasn’t had the game time he’d hoped for. That’s for a reason, because Woody and Ant have been as good as any midfield two in the league and their stats back that up. George Marsh should be hungry to start, but we’ll see what happens come Saturday.”
Physio Tim Maynard will keep tabs on loan signing Terry Ablade in the build-up to kick-off, after he took a knock to an ankle, but it isn’t expected to stop the Fulham striker from being a part of the matchday squad.
Both sides come off the back of defeats going into our first home league game for almost fifty days back at The Cherry Red Records Stadium. Morecambe put up a gallant display, having taken the lead at Tottenham Hotspur in the FA Cup last Sunday, only to eventually bow out 3-1.
Goals from Anthony Hartigan, Ethan Chislett, Will Nightingale and a dramatic winner from Ayoub Assal sealed a thrilling 4-3 victory for us at Morecambe in September. Danger man Cole Stockton netted twice that day for the hosts and the striker is their top scorer, with 18 goals so far in this campaign. Saturday could also mark the return to Wimbledon of Shane McLoughlin, who scored against us in that corresponding fixture.
“I’m sure it will be a really good game,” said Robbo. “They’re full of energy. There have been lots of exciting games, but that one was unbelievable! When we went to get back on the coach, some of their fans were waiting for autographs and thought we were the best side they’d had at their place.
“That’s what we are like at our best, but you have to remember what your best is like. I’m fully expecting an exciting game, but I’d like it to be a bit more comfortable, obviously!
“I left the boys alone on Thursday to prepare for Morecambe. When I went in, they were busy having a meeting. There were a few disagreements, which I think is good as you need honesty. Then we went on to have a positive meeting moving forward. A lot of that was around people thinking things are broken when they are not and its my job to realign them and make sure we’re ready for Saturday, which we are.”
You can see the full preview to the visit of Morecambe with our Head Coach Mark Robinson below, via the link below to our official YouTube channel.