Wimbledon captain Nightingale unlikely to face Accrington

Posted Thursday, August 15, 2019 by PA

AFC Wimbledon captain Will Nightingale is unlikely to feature against Accrington despite returning to training following a knee injury.

Dons boss Wally Downes will also avoid rushing midfielder Anthony Wordsworth back into action as he completes his recovery from an Achilles injury.

Downes said of the former Colchester man: “It’s not long term. He’s desperate to play. The important thing is we don’t have him back too soon and it puts him back a couple of weeks.”

On-loan West Ham goalkeeper Nathan Trott, out of contention thus far due to a groin injury, is a possible inclusion having completed 90 minutes for the development squad in a game against Bournemouth.

Accrington will assess centre-back Ben Barclay, who cut his head while making his Stanley debut in the Carabao Cup defeat by Sunderland.

Manager John Coleman is looking to bring in another defender before the transfer window for Sky Bet League One clubs closes on September 2, so a new face could be involved at Kingsmeadow.

The trip south will come too soon for Offrande Zanzala, still on the mend following a hamstring injury.

Coleman will be keen to see more from summer signing Colby Bishop, who scored his first competitive goal against Sunderland, playing up front with fellow new recruit Courtney Baker-Richardson.