Dons boss provides key injury update on duo who missed Morecambe win

AFC Wimbledon boss Johnnie Jackson says he is hoping to have key centre-back Riley Harbottle available for tomorrow’s clash with top-of the-table Port Vale.

The 24-year-old joined from Scottish Premiership side Hibernian in the summer and started seven League Two outings in a row.

He was forced off in the 61st minute in the 1-0 defeat at Notts County and missed Tuesday night’s 3-0 win over Morecambe.

Midfielder James Ball continued his role in central defence, with Joe Lewis and Ryan Johnson both making their first start since returning from separate injuries.

Asked about Harbottle, Jackson said: “It’s a tight hamstring – he’s ok. He’s come into us from having not played a lot of football to playing pretty much Saturday and Tuesday and every minute of every game.

“The hamstring has been a bit tight. I just felt tonight, with Joe Lewis and Ryan Johnson available, there was no need to take a risk with him.

“It was precaution more than anything. I didn’t want to take a risk with him.

“Hopefully we have him in contention for the weekend.”

Captain Jake Reeves was forced off early in the 3-0 win over Milton Keynes in mid-September and missed games against Bradford and Newcastle.

The 31-year-old played 87 minutes in the 1-0 defeat at Salford but was left out of the matchday squad against Carlisle, Notts County and Morecambe.

Jackson said: “Jake isn’t far off – I always said that Tuesday would have been too soon.

“We will have to see how he is in the next couple of days.

“It’s just the pain level. We have had him thoroughly checked and there is no damage as such.

“It’s about when he’s available to get going and to manage the pain.”

PICTURE: KEITH GILLARD