Swindon Town loanee Dan Kemp has revealed he has held conversations with MK Dons manager Mike Williamson as rumours of a January recall intensify.
The 24-year-old has been in phenomenal form since his temporary switch to the County Ground in July, contributing 12 goals and eight assists in all competitions. Alongside Jake Young – who is enjoying a loan spell of his own from Bradford City – the pair have formed a formidable partnership and have played a role in 38 League Two goals between them.
This has led to speculation that the dynamic duo could each return to their parent clubs in January, with both MK Dons and Bradford off the pace in the race for promotion. Factor in that each club has also had a change of manager in the last few months and the link is an easy one to make.
Kemp has operated in both an attacking midfield and second striker role this season and has been a huge contributing factor to the Robins goalscoring form. They are currently the division’s joint top scorers alongside Notts County, and the Dons will be looking at strengthening their squad in January in order to aid their push towards the play-offs.
The former Hartlepool loanee could arguably have the same impact as a new signing, having only made 16 appearances for the club since joining from Leyton Orient in 2022. The ex-England youth international is well aware that his season could be disrupted in the New Year and has revealed that he has spoken to the new manager, who took over the reins at Stadium MK in October. Speaking to Swindon Advertiser, the attacker said:
“I have spoken to him (Mike Williamson) once or twice, we spoke about different types of things that I think I should keep between us two.
“With the club (Mk Dons) I haven’t really spoken to them in too much detail about what is going to happen.
“We have had one or two conversations, but it will be down to them to make the decisions.
“At the end of the day, I am on loan here until the end of the season with a potential recall, so it is up to them with the decision they make and that is out of my control.”
Swindon boss Michael Flynn also addressed the situation, saying:
“They do tend to (tell you what they are planning to do), but I would say that in this circumstance now, all three have had new managers.
“It is one of them where it is quite unique, where they (the new managers) will want to see the squad they are working with at the minute, then they will consider other options, i.e. the loan players that are out or who they are going to try and sign in the January window.
“I have planned with them [the loan players] and without them, you have got to have all bases covered.
“I am trying to make sure that we have got replacements who can be as good or better than the players we have had here. It is going to be tough, as they have all been superb for us.”
The Wiltshire side will be looking to bounce back from Saturday’s humiliating 4-0 defeat against AFC Wimbledon last Saturday when they take on high-flying Barrow this weekend.
Writer’s View
It’s an unfortunate situation that Swindon find themselves in but one they will be well prepared for. It’s always a risk taking loan players from league rivals, especially clubs that also harbour ambitions of a top seven finish.
Flynn will be hoping that he can take advantage of both Kemp and Young in the meantime and should the seemingly inevitable happen, leave the Robins in a decent position heading into the second half of the season.
