Crystal Palace loanee nears AFC Wimbledon injury return

AFC Wimbledon defender Kofi Balmer looks set to be sidelined for Saturday’s game against Milton Keynes.

But the Dons are hopeful the Crystal Palace loanee will make an injury return for next Tuesday’s clash against Grimsby, the South London Press understands.

The 23-year-old missed the 1-0 defeat at Doncaster with a hamstring tweak he suffered in the midweek loss at home to Crawley and was replaced in the first half by Alex Pearce.

Pearce and left-back by trade Lee Brown started alongside each other at centre-back last time out.

Balmer joined the Dons for six months from Palace in the January window after his season-long spell at League One side Port Vale was brought to an early end.

The Northern Ireland defender has made five appearances under Johnnie Jackson and has helped keep two clean sheets.

Ex-Larne centre-back Balmer will have one year left on his Palace deal come the summer.

Wimbledon host Milton Keynes on Saturday and suffered a 3-1 defeat in the reverse fixture in January. 

The Dons are 12th in the table and four points off the top seven.