AFC Wimbledon will travel to league leaders Shrewsbury tomorrow, four days after an impressive draw at Burton Albion which allowed the Shrews to claim top spot.
Ardley’s men will need to display the same steel they did midweek against League Two’s third highest scorers to see off Micky Mellon’s side.
Defensive trio Jack Smith, Jake Goodman and Will Nightingale are unavailable through injury while Mark Phillips serves the first game of his suspension meaning new-signing Dave Winfield is likely to feature.
League Two’s top provider George Francomb could return to the starting line-up having only featured for the final twenty minutes in the midweek draw at Burton.
The Dons’ hosts are undefeated in their last 15 home games, claiming two-thirds of their points tally at Greenhous Meadow – an ominous sign for Ardley’s patched-up defence.
The Shrews boast the best defensive record in the league having only conceded 20 goals since the start of the campaign.
Ardley will no doubt hope 12-goal Adebayo Akinfenwa will once again provide the goals to see the Dons through.
Both sides are in good form going into tomorrow’s fixture –Shrewsbury are undefeated in six and top the home league table, four points ahead of Burton, and Wimbledon have not lost in four.
The Dons’ record this season, when playing against teams in the top four of the league has been hugely impressive, losing just once – to Wycombe – in five games against League Two’s top sides.
Star man: Adebayo Akinfenwa
Danger man: James Collins.
Last meeting: AFC Wimbledon 2-2 Shrewsbury Town August 9
Picture courtesy of Matt Churchill, with thanks
