Dons boss makes Ali Al-Hamadi admission as ex-Wycombe forward extends League Two scoring run

AFC Wimbledon boss Johnnie Jackson says he does not want Ali Al-Hamadi to stop scoring goals even if the 21-year-old’s scoring run could attract interest from sides higher up the football pyramid in the summer.

Al-Hamadi played 74 minutes in Saint Petersburg on Sunday in Iraq’s 2-0 defeat to Russia but returned in time to be named on the bench for Tuesday’s games against Walsall.

The forward Wycombe striker was introduced in the 69th minute and scored Wimbledon’s second of the evening five minutes later to wrap up their 2-0 victory over Michael Flynn’s side.

Al-Hamadi, who signed a two-and-a-half-year deal at Plough Lane, has now scored seven goals in 13 games since joining the Dons in the summer transfer window.

“No, I don’t want him to stop scoring,” said Jackson when asked by the South London Press asked if he was concerned the forward’s goalscoring run would attract potential suitors in the summer.

“We bought Ali in – he’s hit the ground running and is flying. But he’s one that we have brought in for this season and beyond – we want to build.

“The beauty is at the top end of the pitch, with players such as him and Josh Davison, we’re going into next season with lads under contract. 

“They’re not just for one season – they’re to help us build and take this football club where we want to take it.”