AFC Wimbledon boss assesses Crystal Palace loanee’s first start

Johnnie Jackson has backed John-Kymani Gordon to be a bright prospect for AFC Wimbledon following the Crystal Palace’s loanee’s first start in Saturday’s 2-1 League Two win over Mansfield.

The 20-year-old – who made his debut as a substitute during last Tuesday night’s 3-1 defeat at Milton Keynes – set up Omar Bugiel for the opener in first half added time.

Ex-Carlisle loanee Gordon started as a left midfielder in a 4-4-2, with Josh Davison and Bugiel leading the line.

He spent the first half of the season on loan with League One side Cambridge before being recalled by the Eagles and joining the Dons in the January window.

“He was really good,” said Jackson.

“I thought he was bright and a real threat.

“He hasn’t played loads of football – his opportunities at Cambridge were limited – so we always felt he would run out of gas at some stage.

“The shift he put in was great and he looked a bright prospect for us.

“He’s going to be a big player for us, but it was also nice to make the positive changes to impact it.”