New signings John-Kymani Gordon and Ronan Curtis both took part in final preparations for tonight’s League Two game at Milton Keynes Dons.
Despite Monday’s blustery conditions, we were back on the grass at our New Malden training base, having switched to an artificial surface at Walton in the build-up to Saturday's postponed match.
In his update ahead of tonight's game, Johnnie said: “JK will definitely come into it. He’s been training with us for over a week now. He’s fit, having played on loan at Cambridge United, and for 70 minutes for his parent club Crystal Palace recently. It’s a good opportunity for him to come into the squad.”
“Ronan has been building his training up and we’ll probably make a late call on him, as to whether he can be involved. He hasn’t played a game for quite a long time and it’s really important that we manage that, but he’s training well and very much looking to be a part of what we’re doing.
“Whether Ronan is involved on Tuesday or at the weekend, we’ll make a late decision."
Johnnie has studied the latest performance of this evening’s opponents, who lost 2-1 at home to Morecambe on Saturday, as he prepares to return to the technical area.
“I watched their game back,” said Johnnie. “It was a game of two halves really. Morecambe struggled to get into it in the first half, but they came on really strong in the second half.
“Morecambe tweaked what they were doing, with the way they got about them, and got a bit of joy when they scored early in the second half to level the game up. Then it was in the balance, and they got a late winner.”
You can listen to everything Johnnie had to say, after training on Monday, below.
“It was interesting to watch as the next opponents there, doing my homework on them, and it was interesting to see how a different team goes about it.
“I can’t wait to get back in the technical area! I’ve missed out for the last couple of games and it’s frustrating not to be down there with the staff and the lads as well, so I’m looking forward to getting back amongst it - definitely.”
Johnnie was also pleased to have two players available for selection again, along with encouraging news about a couple of others on the way back from injury.
“Harry Pell comes back from suspension,” said Johnnie. “He missed the Wrexham game, but would have been available for Crawley. Lee Brown had a back issue that he’s now fully recovered from. He’s training, and he comes back into our thinking too.
“Alex Pearce and Josh Neufville remain unavailable. Pearcey is stepping it up now though and is back out on the grass and running. I think he’ll be back with the group before too long. The injury wasn’t too severe, and he hasn’t been out for that long.
“Josh is a little more longer term, with this tricky back issue. We have to monitor it day to day. I spoke to him on Monday, and he seems to be in good spirits. He’s definitely feeling better about things, so hopefully we’ll have him back soon too.”
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