‘Success before at the level’ – AFC Wimbledon boss Johnnie Jackson assesses Crystal Palace loanee
AFC Wimbledon boss Johnnie Jackson has confirmed that Crystal Palace loanee John-Kymani Gordon will come straight into the squad for the League Two clash against Crawley on Saturday.
The 20-year-old penned a six-month loan deal at Plough Lane on Wednesday, becoming Wimbledon’s second signing of the January transfer window.
Gordon spent the first half of the season with League One Cambridge United, making 18 appearances but failing to net for the U’s.
The forward returned to Selhurst Park and played 75 minutes for Darren Powell’s U21 side in their 3-3 draw with Blackburn last Sunday.
Gordon won promotion via the play-offs with Carlisle United during his first loan stint in the 2022-23 season, featuring 17 times and scoring two goals in the second half of the campaign.
Wimbledon host Crawley at Plough Lane on Saturday.
“Pace, power and energy,” Jackson told the South London Press of what to expect from his new signing.
“He can up front as a nine, or he can play on the wing.
“He gives us a bit of flexibility with that, in a position we’re quite light in at the moment.
“He has had success before at the level, winning promotion with Carlise, which was another attractive thing – he knows how to win at the level and knows what it looks like.
“He fits in with the profile of player we have been looking to bring in this season – it will be a good one.
“He just wasn’t to play football. He went to Cambridge, thinking that would be a good level for him, but he didn’t get the games for whatever reason.
“He felt like he didn’t get the opportunity to show what he could do. He’s keen to get cracking and play games.
“He did that last season in the second half of the season – it will be the same this time around.
“Everyone I spoke with said what a nice lad and hard worker he is.
“He will be available [for Crawley]. He trained with us on Wednesday and played 75 minutes for Palace’s U21 team on Sunday.
“He’s raring to go and will come straight into the squad for Saturday.”
PICTURE: AFC WIMBLEDON
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