Dons boss provides early injury update on Crystal Palace loanee after Crawley defeat

AFC Wimbledon boss Johnnie Jackson says defender Kofi Balmer was withdrawn with a suspected hamstring injury in their 1-0 defeat at home to Crawley on Tuesday evening.

The Crystal Palace loanee was withdrawn in the 39th minute after going down and requiring treatment.

He was replaced by ex-Millwall captain Alex Pearce.

Balmer had taken eight throw-ins and completed one clearance before needing to be taken off.

The ex-Port Vale centre-back had played every minute under Jackson since arriving from Selhurst Park for the second half of the campaign.

Danilo Orsi scored the only goal of the game in the 78th minute as the Dons extended their winless run to three games.

“It looks like a hamstring,” said Jackson.

“I don’t know the extent of it yet.

“Lewis and Johnson were mainstays for us, so losing those two was tough to take.

“Kofi came in and did really well and now we have lost him.

“It’s a patched-up back four, which isn’t going to help, but we have done enough here with the chances we have created to get something from the game, that’s for sure.”