AFC Wimbledon boss Johnnie Jackson makes loan admission

Johnnie Jackson admitted that AFC Wimbledon had to hold back sending Ryan McLean on loan while they waited for Connor Lemonheigh-Evans to return from injury.

Winger McLean has only played nine minutes of League Two football – a short cameo in the 1-0 defeat at home to Bradford – since signing from non-league side Hereford in the summer.

McLean joined National League side Kidderminster Harriers on a deal until January on Tuesday evening.

The Dons do have the ability to recall him after 28 days.

Stockport loanee Lemonheigh-Evans, who joined the Dons on deadline day and scored his first goal in the 3-1 win at Walsall, had been missing in recent weeks with a hamstring injury.

Lemonheigh-Evans started the 4-2 defeat at home to Accrington Stanley and was subbed off at half-time.

“We were just trying to get the timing right with it,” Jackson told the South London Press. “He’s found himself not getting in the squad because of the competition we have in places. We have probably been a bit selfish with it up until now – just protecting ourselves until Connor Evans was fit and available.”

Omar Bugiel scored a brace off the bench against Accrington, taking his tally to four goals in all competitions since joining from Sutton on a free transfer in the summer.

“He was outstanding for that 45 minutes,” said Jackson. “I’ll look back at that and think: ‘Should I have started with him?’ I felt that he put a great shift in on Saturday, and he was feeling it when he came off.

“With the journey and the quick turnaround, I felt that tonight (Tuesday) was better to use him from the bench.”

PICTURE: PA