Dons boss explains why striker had scan before Accrington match

AFC Wimbledon head coach Mark Robinson has explained why forward Ollie Palmer went for a scan before Tuesday’s 2-0 win away to Accrington Stanley.

The 29-year-old has contributed nine goals in all competitions this season – scoring seven and assisting two.

Epsom-born Palmer missed six matches in League One earlier in the season through a grade two calf strain with the Dons only winning one game – a 1-0 away victory against Lincoln City – in his absence.

Robinson told the South London Press: “He had a little bit of a pain in his left quad, and we did it as a precaution just to check that it wasn’t a tear that could get worse.

“It was a zero grade, which means it’s more like a bit of DOMS (delayed onset muscle soreness).”

Palmer, who was passed fit to start the game at the Wham Stadium in challenging conditions, completed his first 90 minutes since the 2-2 draw with Ipswich Town in late August.

“Ideally, I didn’t want to play him for 90 last night, but such as the rhythm of the game, it just wasn’t a game to bring any subs on,” explained Robinson.

“It was so difficult with the conditions that I just felt as though the players were in a flow – they were used to the conditions, and their decision making under the circumstances was so good, that to put someone on, it could take them five or 10 minutes to get used to it, and we couldn’t afford that.”

Fellow striker Aaron Pressley – halfway through his season-long loan from Premier League side Brentford – wasn’t named in the matchday squad for the trip to Accrington, with Robinson explaining: “Aaron had a slight little niggle in the warm up. It was just precautionary.”

PICTURE: KEITH GILLARD