Johnnie Jackson makes Marcus Browne admission after AFC Wimbledon land ex-Oxford attacker

AFC Wimbledon boss Johnnie Jackson has admitted he tried to land new signing Marcus Browne during his time at Charlton Athletic.

The 27-year-old has been a free agent since leaving Oxford following their promotion to League One at the end of last season.

Versatile attacker Browne, who has also had a spell at Middlesbrough, has put pen to paper on a deal until the end of the season at Plough Lane after training with the Dons in a view to landing a deal.

“He has been with us for the last week and a bit,” Jackson told the South London Press.

“We have added another attacking option – someone who is a bit different to what we have got.

“He is a creative type who can go past people and has an eye for a goal. We’re pleased with that one, too.”

Browne missed the majority of last season, playing just 15 times in all competitions, after suffering two back-to-back hamstring injuries.

“We got him in to take a look at him,” said Jackson.

“He’s a player who I tried to sign before when I was at Charlton. When he went back to Oxford [in January 2022], I tried to bring him in then.

“He’s a player I have liked for a long time and I know a lot about him. He’s had his injury problems, but that has given us an opportunity to get him.

“He was training with Barnet before coming to us, but he has convinced us that he’s over those problems and he can help us for the rest of the season.

“We got the deal done pretty quickly. Whether we will do more than that – I’m not sure.”

The Dons head into tomorrow’s League Two clash at home to Tranmere on the back of having games against Fleetwood, heavy snowfall, and Cheltenham, frozen pitch, both called off.

“It’s been a little frustrating,” said Jackson.

“Especially with the Fleetwood one. We travelled there the day before and we were sort of looking at it, probably half knowing what was going to happen anyway – but we had to travel and do the right thing.

“To get all the way up there and to have it called off first thing in the morning was a bit annoying.

“The one at home was probably a bit more frustrating because we thought the game would be on.

“We trained on the pitch the day before and everything seemed okay. They put the covers on, but it got really cold overnight.

“I fully expected that one to go ahead. With the Fleetwood one, it would have been our third game in seven days, so physically, it would have been a tough ask.

“We were raring to go for Cheltenham, so it was harder to take. The good thing was not everybody played so we didn’t lose ground.”

The Dons initially signed ex-Cardiff midfielder Romaine Sawyers on a one-month deal in December to cope with injury problems in the centre of the pitch.

But the 33-year-old, who made five appearances during his time at Wimbledon and scored in his final game  – a 2-1 win over Newport County – left at the end of his deal after getting an offer from League One side Bristol Rovers.

“It was great having him,” said Jackson.

“We were bang up against it in terms of injuries, so getting him and Sam Hutchinson in at the time was the right thing to do and it definitely helped us getting through that period.

“He’s a good player, but he came to us having not played for a period so we had to manage him smartly during that month.

“We built him up and got him a start against Gillingham. We used him for 45 against Newport, and his performances got better with every game.

“He’s a really good player and a really good lad. He was good to have around. We tried to keep hold of him and spoke about staying, but he had an offer from the league above.

“We respected that. He came in and did everything that was asked of him. It was hugely beneficial for the both of us.”

Experienced Hutchinson, 35, was also signed on the same deal as Sawyers and also made five appearances during his month contract.

But the former Reading and Sheffield Wednesday midfielder has extended his Plough Lane stay until the end of the season.

“Sam’s been brilliant off the pitch and on it too,” he said.

“Also, his experience as well and know-how has been great.

“He’s versatile and can play in different positions. He’s a credit to himself that, having not been in anywhere or play any games, to be in the nick that he’s in is outstanding – he’s a great professional.

“From what he showed us in that month, it was a no-brainer. To keep hold of him from now until the end of the season makes perfect sense.”