AFC Wimbledon v Plymouth Argyle
Man in the middle Tim Robinson Games 11 YELLOWS 53 REDS 2
Assisted by Colin Lymer and Ian Fissenden
Fourth Official: Garry Maskell
AFC Wimbledon newsCoach Simon Bassey looks ahead to Plymouth and Plough Lane
Recent signing Chris Robertson could be in line for his senior Dons debut as AFC Wimbledon shuffle the pack for tomorrow’s Checkatrade Trophy game against Plymouth Argyle (7.45pm kick-off at the Cherry Red Records Stadium).
First team-coach Simon Bassey also revealed midfielder George Francomb may figure too, when he spoke to Dons Player ahead of the first meeting with the Pilgrims since the Dons triumphed at Wembley over the Devon club in the League Two Play-Off Final at the end of May.
“Chris is involved in the squad and could be an option,” said Simon. “George Francomb is back in full training and has a gum shield on its way (having required dental work following a knock to the mouth in the victory at Charlton Athletic) so George could be back in contention. He maybe in for a couple of weeks and then out again, depending on how his teeth are going. If his teeth don’t firm up, he may have to have them redone and that would mean another period out the side, but at the moment he is available for selection.”
Manager Neal Ardley said defender Jon Meades (calves) and midfielder Tom Beere (hamstrings) were feeling the effects of a tough schedule of games after Saturday’s 2-0 victory over Gillingham, but Simon had an update on their fitness.
“They are both available for selection,” added Simon. “Tom had cramp and stretched his hamstring a little and felt a little bit fatigued, but he’ll be good to go. We’ve got some tired bodies that we may need to freshen up, but fitness wise everyone is available.”
The Dons beat Swansea City’s under-23 side 3-0 in their opening group game of the competition with two goals from form striker Dominic Poleon and one from Andy Barcham at Kingsmeadow. Plymouth are top of Southern Group B with the Dons second in the table. Our final group match is a trip to Newport County next month.
“We want to win it, we want to win every game we play,” said Simon about the Checkatrade Trophy. “I fully understand the fans frustrations, but as a team and a coach we want to do well in it. We will apply ourselves in the right manner and hopefully we can get another victory.”
Defender Karleigh Osborne, on loan to the Dons last season, joined Plymouth in the summer – along with Connor Smith who lined up for AFC Wimbledon in the Promotion play-off final. Osborne has been working on a return to full fitness from a thigh injury and could make his first appearance for Plymouth tomorrow night.
“It’s the first game since Wembley and Plymouth will be disappointed with it and I’m sure they’ll come to try and redress the balance, but it’s a competition where if you go well in it you go to Wembley again so I’m sure we’ll both be aiming for that prize.”
Argyle newsKarleigh Osborne added to Plymouth Argyle squad for EFL Trophy tie at Wimbledon
DEFENDER Karleigh Osborne could finally make his debut for Plymouth Argyle in their EFL Trophy tie away to AFC Wimbledon on Tuesday (7.45pm).
The 28-year-old has been included in the Pilgrims' matchday squad for the first time after a lengthy recovery period from a pre-season thigh injury.
It means his first appearance for Argyle could come against the club for whom he made a total of 25 appearances last term while on loan from Bristol City.
Osborne has played a number of games for the Pilgrims' side in the South West Peninsula League Premier Division over the past month.
Now he could be about to complete his comeback from injury in the Southern Group B clash against Wimbledon at Kingsmeadow.
Both teams won the first of their three group games, with Argyle beating Newport County 4-1 at Home Park.
Wimbledon were 3-0 victors over visiting Swansea City Under-23s, in a match which was watched by an attendance of only 461.
Argyle manager Derek Adams made seven team changes for the game against Newport and is likely to adopt a similar approach this time around.
Dave RowntreeVincent Dorel started for Argyle in their 4-1 win against Newport in the EFL Trophy
For example, he admitted there was 'a good possibility' that Vincent Dorel could be the Pilgrims' goalkeeper.
Dorel has already played instead of captain Luke McCormick in both of the Pilgrims' cup games this season.
Adams said: "We will make changes, but we have done that throughout our league campaign, and in the cup as well.
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"I'm not saying we are going to make seven changes, but there will be changes to the team."
Adams will take into consideration Argyle's away League Two game against Stevenage on Saturday when it comes to his team selection for the Wimbledon tie.
He said: "We will assess the squad. A lot of the players have played a lot of minutes this season.
"We want to keep the continuity throughout the side, but we are away on Saturday as well so we need to have a freshness for that game."
Under EFL competition rules, managers cannot make wholesale changes to their teams.
They have to include either five players who started the last league game, five players who will start the next league game, or five players with the most appearances this season.
(Pinch from online media)
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Mon Oct 03, 2016 7:51 pm
