AFC Wimbledon Jolley as striker returns: 'Southend United are a very good team'

31 December 2011 10:16
Team news for Saturday's League Two clash between Dons and Shrimpers at the Cherry Red Records Stadium, Kingsmeadow sees the return for the home side one of their best players.

Jolley: Back for Dons, could prove annoying

AFC Wimbledon should be boosted by the return of Christian Jolley.

Six-goal striker Jolley has played just once in the last month due to a hamstring injury but is back in training and pushing to be involved.

Brown: 'With Jolley available again, we're able to introduce another attacking option'   This will be a boost for beleaguered Dons boss Terry Brown who is desperate to turn around five successive defeats in all competitions, beating even the Shrimpers four!   Brown told www.afcwimbledon.co.uk: "There is good news as Callum McNaughton and Christian Jolley had full training sessions and felt no after effects. Both are likely to feature over this busy weekend and I am also hoping to see Kieran Djilali back in training within a couple of weeks. This is good news to go with Mat Mitchel-King having made his debut and then playing a full 90 minutes on Boxing Day. There has been a little bit of sickness around the camp with Gareth Gwillim and Chris Bush both missing Thursday's training but I expect they will both be ready for Saturday."

So with both teams in a bad run, what can Brown do?  

He continued: "The team is in good spirits and I believe we are much better than our recent form has shown. The breaks haven't gone our way recently but we can't mope about it - we need to keep working hard and show the effort, quality and determination that we showed in the second half against Oxford. If we can do that, our results will turn the corner. Southend are a very good team and it will be a tough game, but we will still be aiming for all three points. And with Jolley available again, we are able to introduce another attacking option." 

Fair enough, the Shrimpers possible makeshift defence could be run a litte ragged but hopefully will have enough in midfield to turn the game their way.

However, the popular Dons manager knows he must try and bring in new faces al la Luggy.

Brown concluded: "I know that fans are always highly aware of the opening of the transfer window and I have had sufficient funds made available to me to strengthen the team. I spent time yesterday going through our options with Stuart Cash and Simon Bassey. There are several players who we are interested in but at least one of them is only going to be available if his club does some business of its own. It is always hard to get the balance right - we don't want to miss out, but we know who we want and we need to get this right. I am sure fans are looking for some news but we need to keep our cards close to our chests until any deals are done."

We all appreciate that, here's to more Shrimper signings as well!   The S24 Preview: www.southendunited-mad.co.uk   Discuss the game: http://boards.footymad.net   Bigger squad needed?: www.southendunited-mad.co.uk   S24 is looking to build up it's editorial team, why not join us at the Shrimpers fastest growing unofficial site with up to and over 2,000 hits a day currently this month?   If you have something to say on the present exciting times at Southend United or an idea for a new poll, then click on the link with your article or contact details and we will get in touch, just a few lines will do: www.southendunited-mad.co.uk

Source: FOOTYMAD