Dons boss Robinson shoulders blame over Ollie Palmer’s scan delay

Mark Robinson has set the record straight over Ollie Palmer’s injury, with the AFC Wimbledon head coach blaming himself for the forward not getting a scan sooner.

Although Palmer, 29, was unable to come off the bench during the Dons’ 1-0 home loss to Plymouth Argyle due to a tightness in his calf, he started the game against Arsenal in the EFL Cup just four days later.

Palmer managed 54 minutes before he was replaced by Aaron Pressley, with a scan following the game diagnosing a grade two calf strain that has seen him miss the past three fixtures in League One.

There had been a suggestion Palmer covered up his injury so he could feature in the tie but Robinson told the South London Press: “Ollie was desperate to play in all the games.

“It was just in the home game against Plymouth that when he was warming up, I was going to bring him on, his calf felt tight. That was my decision not to bring him on as he felt that he couldn’t fully sprint. In the Arsenal game, it felt fine in the warm-up.

“Ollie wanted to carry on. He didn’t want to have a scan. He wanted to try and play again on the Saturday [against Shrewsbury], but I made him go and get a scan. As I said, if anyone was to blame, it was me. I should have made him go and get the scan as the medical team wanted earlier.

“It was Ollie’s desire to try and play in all games that was the issue, not him trying to pick and choose games. He was desperate to be involved in all the games, and he is trying to get back as quickly as he can now. Ollie could be back by the Sheffield Wednesday game or just after. I’d say it’s 50-50 at the moment.”

Another player pushing to be ready in time to feature following the international break is defender Paul Kalambayi, who suffered a quad strain during the 5-3 EFL Trophy win over Portsmouth at the beginning of September.

“Paul is looking really strong to be ready for the Sheffield Wednesday game,” added Robinson.

PICTURE: KEITH GILLARD