Johnnie Jackson provides injury update on AFC Wimbledon defender ahead of Gillingham trip
AFC Wimbledon boss Johnnie Jackson says he will have to make a late call on whether Alex Pearce will be available for Saturday’s clash away to Gillingham.
Ex-Millwall skipper Pearce was forced off in the 60th minute at Plough Lane on Saturday during Wimbledon’s 2-2 draw with Hartlepool, with winter signing Aaron Pierre coming on for the final 30 minutes.
Pearce signed for the Dons in the summer after leaving Millwall and has made 17 appearances in League Two this season under Jackson.
“Pearcy was feeling a bit sore after Saturday,” Jackson told the South London Press.
“He hasn’t trained this week, but hopefully, we will have him back in training tomorrow with a view to being involved.
“It will be a late call on Pearcy – we will have to see if he comes through training.”
Pearce returned to the starting line-up in January after loanee Ryley Towler was recalled by Bristol City and sold to League One side Portsmouth at the start of the window.
Wimbledon had only conceded one goal in their previous six outings before last Saturday’s clash at home to Hartlepool.
“He’s been excellent,” said Jackson of the 34-year-old ex-Reading defender.
“He missed a big chunk through injury, and we missed him during that period. But he has got himself back fit and back in the team.
“He’s been a real part of that defensive stability that we have been showing. We missed him when he went off on Saturday, for sure.
“He’s been really solid. He uses his experience to help out the team and the people around him.
“He’s been a big player for us.”
Will Nightingale has been unavailable since late September after he picked up a knee injury in the 2-2 draw with Bradford.
Picture : Keith Gillard
The 27-year-old has recently featured in behind-closed-doors friendlies against Portsmouth and Barnet.
“He’s ready to go,” said Jackson.
“He is fit and has been training well. He’s not been involved yet because of the nature that you can only pick 11 to start and seven on the bench.
“Will has trained really well. We could have done with another friendly for him to get some more minutes, but we haven’t been able to do that.
“But what I’m seeing in training gives me encouragement – he’s ready if and when called upon.”
Huseyin Biler is still out with a hamstring injury.
PICTURES: KEITH GILLARD
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