Milton Keynes Dons boss Mike Williamson has issued an update on the fitness of wing-back Joe Tomlinson.
The 23-year-old has missed just two of his side’s league matches this campaign, against Grimsby Town on March 12, and the 3-3 draw with Notts County on Easter Monday.
Tomlinson sustained a foot injury in the Buckinghamshire side’s 5-0 victory over Walsall last week and was absent from the squad that travelled to Meadow Lane.
A threat from the wing, the former Peterborough United man has scored seven goals and added six assists in his debut season for The Dons.
Speaking to the press, Mike Williamson was optimistic about his number 14’s state. He said [Quotes via Milton Keynes Citizen]: “He was quite sore after the game on Friday, but he has improved dramatically.
“He’s going for a scan but we’re hopeful that it’s minimal if nothing, but we have to be cautious. Similarly, we took Max Dean off because there’s the bigger picture there.
“We just have to be cautious with the decisions and hopefully it’s not a lot, but you never know what might show up.”
Making just 17 appearances in two years at London Road, Tomlinson struggled for minutes for Posh and was sent on loan twice to Swindon Town.
The wing-back settled well to life in Milton Keynes under the former Gateshead manager, who was appointed in October following the sacking of now-Bradford City boss Graham Alexander.
He provided a goal and assist against The Bantams, before netting a brace in a 4-2 away win at Salford City.
Dons Assistant Coach Ian Watson commended Tomlinson’s consistency across the season, adding: “He is eager to learn, he asks a lot of questions about how we play and how he can impact the game all the time.
“You can see he wants to develop as a player. His life away from the game is immaculate, he does everything a top pro should. He’s dangerous in all areas.
“That wing-back position is such a hard one in our team. You have to give us the depth and want to attack at every moment, and then you also have to get back and defend.
“He never complains though, he does the yard and covers the distances. He is reaping the rewards for doing everything properly and being a top pro and person. The sky is the limit for him.”
Milton Keynes are still in the hunt for a League Two promotion place and are just two points behind Wrexham in third position, despite having played two games more than all three teams behind them.
They only have four matches of their season remaining, having to play Forest Green Rovers, Mansfield Town, Harrogate Town and Sutton United on the final day.
Writer’s View
Joe Tomlinson has been one of many highlights of MK Dons’ season back in the fourth division and is probably their most underrated player. Whilst players like Dan Kemp, Max Dean and Alex Gilbey rightly steal the headlines, the wing-back has thrived in a position further up the field and has been consistent in both performance and availability. Mike Williamson seems to be positive about his situation, so will likely be available against Forest Green.
MK Dons are still in with a chance of automatic promotion, but their fate is out of their hands. The key now is to keep their momentum up to the final match, and either get ready for play-off football or celebrate a return back to League One at the first time of asking.