Dons boss Jackson reveals loan judgement call on striker

BY EDMUND BRACK

Johnnie Jackson has explained why AFC Wimbledon would be “reluctant” to recall Zach Robinson from his loan spell with Dundee this season.

The Dons manager says strikers Kyle Hudlin and Quaine Bartley need to “be ready” to play a part in the side following Nathan Young-Coombes picking up an injury.

Brentford loanee Young-Coombes has scored three goals and recorded two assists in his first eight League Two appearances for the Dons but has been ruled out for a number of weeks after suffering a knee injury in the 2-0 loss at home to Northampton Town on September 13.

The 19-year-old scored 34 goals last season for Brentford’s B team and was experiencing his first loan in men’s senior football.

When pushed to place a timescale on Young-Coombes’ return and whether it would be during this calendar year, Jackson told the South London Press: “I don’t know the full extent of it – we’re not going to put a specific timeframe on it.

“We’re disappointed and it’s disappointing for the boy because he was really enjoying his football and being at the club.

“He was a big part of what we’re trying to do, and he was forming a decent partnership with Josh [Davison] up there. He will be a miss as he’s another option that we haven’t got now.”

Huddersfield Town loanee Hudlin scored his first goal for the Dons on Tuesday night in the 3-2 EFL Trophy win against Crawley Town.

The 22-year-old made his first start for the Dons since returning from a groin injury which was detected following the 2-0 EFL Cup loss at home to Gillingham in early August.

His strike partner for the victory against Kevin Betsy’s Reds was

18-year-old academy graduate Bartley, who signed his first professional contract with the club in the summer.

“You have got big Kyle Hudlin coming back to fitness and young Quaine Bartley getting an opportunity tonight,” added Jackson after Tuesday’s win.

“It was good for Kyle to get his first goal for the club. It’s been a bit stop-start for him, because he’s had his injuries, and he hasn’t really had much game time. It was a great opportunity for him today, and it was the best he has looked for us.

“Quaine is somebody that we think really highly of. He’s a young lad with lots to learn and lots to do, but he gives us that something a little different that we haven’t got.

“He has been in and around the group for a while now, training with the first team, and he holds his own in those sessions. It gives me the confidence to give him those opportunities. We’re light in that area, so those guys need to be ready to play their part when called upon.”

Robinson, 20, has scored four goals and picked up one assist in eight appearances in all competitions since joining Dundee FC on a season-long loan in the Scottish Championship.

The forward, left, signed a two-year contract extension with the club last summer before joining the Dee.

“We can’t recall him before January, I don’t believe,” said Jackson when asked whether the Dons were looking to bring Robinson back to bolster their forward options following Young-Coombes’ injury.

“The reason that we sent Zach there was because we felt that it was the right step for him in his development and progress to go up to Scotland, get regular game time, do well, score some goals and put himself in a better position to come back and get in our team.

“You do these things for a reason – they’re never on a whim. They are well thought-out and discussed plans. We would be reluctant to recall him because it would have to be the right step for the boy and for the club.”

PICTURE: KEITH GILLARD