Johnnie Jackson welcomes back Ronan Curtis and Jack Currie for tomorrow’s final away game of the season, but Alex Bass is a doubt.
Bass, on a season-long loan from Sunderland, has been ever-present in goal for us in League Two and kept sixteen clean sheets.
“He’s touch and go,” said Johnnie after today’s final session back at our New Malden training ground before departing for Tranmere.
“He went over on his ankle towards the end of the game at Swindon. He could be a doubt for Saturday, which will be disappointing for him because he’s been outstanding for us all season.
“However, we’ve got two really good goalkeepers. Nik Tzanev has been an able deputy this season. When he’s come in, he’s done well. We have complete faith in him – should he need to step in. He always keeps himself ready and trains well. If that’s the case, we’ll have no qualms about Tans playing.”
Jack Currie wasn’t involved last weekend, due to a clash of heads in the victory over Salford, but the promising defender is now fully back in contention.
“Jack has trained this week,” said Johnnie. “He’s been heading the ball, putting his face in where it hurts and it’s given him the confidence that he can get through it. The game last week came a bit too soon, on the back of a nasty whack he got on his nose.
“He’s felt better and looks better! He was a bit of a mess after it happened, but he’s getting his good looks back! Over the course of his career, he’s going to have a few of them. You’ve only got to look at Terry Skiverton’s face to know that’s what happens to Football League defenders over the years!”
Republic of Ireland international winger Ronan Curtis has completed his three-match suspension and is also very much in Johnnie’s thoughts for Prenton Park.
“Ro is back available and raring to go!” said Johnnie. “He’s loves his football and he’s loved his time here. He’s so enthusiastic.
“He was gutted when he got sent-off against Harrogate. We appealed it, but it got upheld and we were all disappointed with that because we felt we had a decent case to get it overturned. He can’t wait to get back out there now, having trained really well this week.”
Lebanese international forward Omar Bugiel yet again gave everything for the Dons at the County Ground in our last outing, but he’s recovered in time.
“Omar is fine,” confirmed Johnnie. “He’s trained all week and he’ll travel up to the North West with us.”
Johnnie is focusing on a strong end to our season, with a target in mind and the possibility still of extending our campaign in the promotion play-offs.
Johnnie said: “We want to finish the season as strongly as we possibly can. The goal now for us is to get to 68 points and see where that takes us – that means winning both of our last two games.
“Tranmere is a tough place to go, but it’ll mean putting in a performance there and coming away with the three points, and then coming back home for the final day against Walsall.
“The lads know what they’ve got to do, there’s a clear focus about that. Having given everything last time out, we were unable to get what we needed, but that’s fuel to try and put that right at Tranmere.”
If you’re not making the trip to the Wirral on Saturday, there’s full commentary of the game from our Radio WDON team. Purchase an audio match pass from the link below.
Photos: Pro Sports Images.
