AFC Wimbledon boss Mark Robinson happy with 21-man squad – with chance young guns could be added to first-team fold

Mark Robinson is happy he will have adequate depth to his AFC Wimbledon squad – pointing out that he will be able to recall any young players out on loan in the January transfer window.

The Dons head coach has talked about having a 21-man first-team squad.

But Wimbledon are also set to send out a number of prospects to gain experience at a lower level.

“I’ve got to emphasise that the club have invested in this group of young pros and they will be out on loan,” Robinson told the South London Press. “Although we will be carrying a 21-man squad, we will also have 12 young pros out on loan in men’s football.

“On the face of it that 21-man squad is not that small. By Christas we could have a 19-year-old banging in goals at a good level of men’s football. That is why we are carrying a smaller first-team squad, because we have got young pros out on loan that we have high hopes for.”

Robinson believes Wimbledon are in pole position for their prime transfer targets.

“We’re very close to our first-choice options in four positions,” he said. “We’re hoping by next week there will be some news.

“It’s really important [the signings come in early in pre-season] in terms of what we want to go and achieve. Hence why I’m more excited at being a lot closer to getting the targets we want.

“We were ninth or 10th in the form table in the last 21 games and second in the form table for the last 10 games. Having a full pre-season with the squad is a massive part of us reaching our goals.”