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‘Of these last remaining games, every one’s a cup final’: Paul Robinson back for Wycombe Wanderers clash

AFC Wimbledon manager Neal Ardley will welcome back defender Paul Robinson for today’s match against promotion-rivals Wycombe Wanderers.

The centre-half has now recovered from the thigh problem that kept him out of the defeat at Hartlepool United and will be in contention for a starting spot.

But midfielder Connor Smith remains a doubt, despite returning to full training this week after three weeks out.

Ardley said: “Connor has just come back into training today after two or three weeks of running work.

“Connor will probably not be ready for this game and it’s likely he will play next week for the Under-21s.”

The Dons have recently boasted a match day squad of five strikers following Rhys Murphy’s arrival on loan and Adebayo Akinfenwa’s return from suspension.

Ardley said: “All five strikers were in the squad for the last game and they will be [on Saturday].

“You need to have game-changers with players on the bench who give you something different to the ones on the pitch.”

The Dons’ storming form has cooled somewhat but they are still in with a chance of securing a League Two playoff spot.

Their opponents Wycombe are currently occupying the last remaining playoff position with Wimbledon three places behind in 10th following Wednesday’s 1-0 loss to Hartlepool.

They were then denied the opportunity to bounce back immediately after the postponement of their home fixture against Portsmouth due to a waterlogged Kingsmeadow.

Experienced defender Robinson called on the club’s fans to play their part in pushing the team into the playoffs.

Last season 1,000 Wimbledon fans travelled to Adams Park as Dons won a memorable match to set up an FA Cup third-round clash against Liverpool.

Robinson said: “Of these last remaining games, every one’s a cup final.

“The fans have been fantastic, all of us players and fans now need one big final effort to get us through this last month and take us where we want to be.”

Wycombe enter the match off the back of a 0-0 draw with Notts County and tomorrow’s match could have a significant bearing on the playoff shake-up come the end of the campaign.

Featured image courtesy of AFC Wimbledon via YouTube, with thanks

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