Dons boss Jackson: Dundee loan for forward ‘makes sense’

AFC Wimbledon boss Johnnie Jackson said Zach Robinson’s season-long loan to Dundee FC “suits all parties.”

The 20-year-old forward signed a new two-year deal at Plough Lane after being out of contract at the end of last season.

The Dons bolstered their attacking options by signing Josh Davison from Charlton Athletic and bringing in Kyle Hudlin on loan from Huddersfield for the season.

There is a break clause in Hudlin’s deal which could be exercised in the January transfer window.

Robinson was on loan with Hemel Hempstead Town and Hampton & Richmond Borough last season before being recalled by the Dons in March.

He played the first three games of Mark Bowen’s reign – scoring his first league goal for the club in the 2-2 draw with Charlton – but suffered a hamstring injury in the 1-1 draw with Milton Keynes, which ruled him out for the final four games.

Robinson played 14 minutes for the Dark Blues in their Scottish Championship opening day 3-2 defeat to Partick Thistle.

“It’s a really good opportunity for Zach to go and play regular games of football,” Jackson told the South London Press. “He hasn’t had that in his career. He has had loan spells before and a handful of league games for Wimbledon, but not a run of games.

“An opportunity came up at a really good level, and it’s certainly a progression on the loans he’s had before.

“For him to go out and play regular football, which was something that wasn’t necessarily guaranteed here with the attacking options that we have got, suits all parties.

“Zach is really keen to be playing week in, week out, and they were keen to have him.

“It was a group decision. We looked at the offer and said: ‘Does it make sense for us?’

“We spoke to Zach and looked at whether it made sense for him, which he said it did. So it suited everyone involved.

“It helps with the lad’s progression to play every week. Hopefully, he can score some goals and come back to us a better player.”

Pictures: Keith Gillard