AFC Wimbledon have been reported to have made some headway into their January transfer deals ahead of tonight’s EFL Trophy last-16 tie against Oxford United.
The past couple of seasons the Dons have had some woeful New Year windows, but news surfaced in the last couple of days that has been positive. The most important could be the permanent signing of central defender Joe Lewis.
Lewis has become a fan favourite in the first half of the season, following his loan deal from Stockport County. Now, it seems, that loan is to become permanent as the South London Press reported that a deal has been reached to make Plough Lane his home.
This is a bold move for County as they are suffering with a long injury list, and with Wimbledon still a threat in the top half of the table, it could come back to bite them.
There is still some doubt over whether Connor Lemonheigh-Evans will be recalled by County, as Wimbledon look to make some exciting new additions in the coming days and weeks.
Johnnie Jackson has gone on record saying. “There’s a lot of conversations going on, there’s a lot of plates spinning. We are actively pursuing some exciting targets. January is a mad window, there’s things moving all the time and stuff coming up regularly.
“[Chief scout] Andy Thorn has been down here with us, we’ve had a lot of recruitment meetings over the last few days. With the budget restraints we’re under, we can’t hand-pick whoever we want. We have some good names on lists, we just need things to fall right for us. We won’t do anything for the sake of it.
“With some of the boys being away with their countries, it makes us a little thin on the ground. But they are coming back, it’s not like we won’t see them again, in a few weeks they’ll be back with us and it’ll be a boost.”
Wimbledon have called back Ryan McLean, Morgan Williams, and Ethan Sutcliffe from their loans, and the first couple of those will have a chance to impress tonight and going forward. “They’ll both come back into the reckoning. They’ve both played for us in the competition before. It’s good to have two fresh options.”
Writer’s View
News of Joe Lewis becoming a permanent Don will be most welcome at Wimbledon. With Ali Al-Hamadi and Omar Bugiel set to feature in the Asian Cup this month, and other players injured, the squad was starting to look threadbare.
With Jackson, Thorn, and Head of Football operations Craig Cope, pulling the strings off the pitch, it does seem that the club has learnt from the harsh mistakes in the past. There still may be a high profile name leaving the club with talnted young left back Jack Currie being looked at, but that could free up the cash for any new players.
