Wimbledon boss provides transfer update and explains defender Will Nightingale’s loan departure

BY DAN EVANS

AFC Wimbledon boss Johnnie Jackson has made it clear that players will likely have to depart before he makes more new signings this summer.

The Dons have welcomed nine players to Plough Lane over the off-season, following a 21st-placed finish in League Two last term.

Seven of the new arrivals featured in Saturday’s 1-1 draw against QPR, with Josh Neufville scoring a second-half equaliser.

“I’ve got an idea of the optimum squad size that I want,” Jackson told the South London Press.  “If we are going to bring some more in then maybe that will mean people have to leave.

“It’s something that we have to closely monitor. We want to make ourselves as strong as possible.”

Academy graduate Will Nightingale was allowed to join Ross County on loan earlier this week, and the Dons boss suggested it was not an easy call to make.

“Of course it was [a difficult decision] – we’re all really fond of Will here,” said Jackson.

“It’s an opportunity for him to go and play regular games and something that we felt he would benefit from.

“Obviously we’ve bought in lads in that position, but it’s just a loan so we haven’t closed the door on his Wimbledon chapter.

“We wish him well and we’ll be closely monitoring him.”