‘Decent chunk’ – Johnnie Jackson provides injury update on AFC Wimbledon key defensive duo

AFC Wimbledon boss Johnnie Jackson says centre-backs Joe Lewis and Ryan Johnson are going to miss a “decent chunk” of games due to injury.

Johnson has been missing since he was forced off in the first half of the 3-1 defeat at Milton Keynes.

Lewis, who was signed in a permanent deal in the January transfer window after Stockport looked to recall him from his loan spell with the Dons, suffered an injury in the 3-1 EFL Trophy defeat at Peterborough.

The defensive duo had featured 26 times together this season before requiring separate spells on the sidelines.

Captain Jake Reeves was also missing from last Saturday’s goalless draw at Bradford.

“They’re going to miss a decent chunk,” Jackson told the South London Press when asked for an update on Lewis and Johnson.

“We will have them back hopefully in a few weeks time, but it’s certainly not going to be in the next few games. 

“It’s been a really good partnership and key to what we’re doing.

“Reevesy is out at the weekend as well and it looks like he might miss a few games too.

“It’s left us light when you take out your two starting centre-backs, your captain in the middle and your centre-forward – you have lost the spine of your team there.”

The Dons signed experienced John-Joe O’Toole on deadline day on loan from Mansfield for the rest of the season.

“It was important we brought in some reinforcements,” added Jackson. 

“John-Joe was one that came up really late in the day, but we looked at it and he’s experienced, can play in a couple of different positions and he’s coming from a team that is doing really well.

“He knows what success looks like at the level – he’s been there and done it.

“He’s one of those players who could really come in and help us in a few different positions. In difficult circumstances, he’s the type of person you want to be looking around and turning to.

“When he became available really late, it seemed a pretty sensible piece of business to do.”

PICTURES: KEITH GILLARD