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Wanderers face another goalkeeping quandary at the Macron as Phil Parkinson picks from two players enduring difficult spells.
Ben Alnwick suffered from a virus after the 2-2 draw at Bradford City in which he received criticism for his part in the two Bantams goals.
Fit again, the former Peterborough man could be restored to the team against AFC Wimbledon after his rival, Mark Howard, suffered similar nerves in the midweek draw against Bristol Rovers.
Parkinson has been careful not to label either keeper ‘first choice’ in order to maximise competitiveness but must now make a decision between two players who have some making up to do in the eyes of the Wanderers support.
“We left Ben out at Sheffield United because he was ill,” he said. “He has been excellent for us.
“Mark did okay at the weekend and I thought he’d come on from that game. It didn’t happen but one thing about Mark is that he won’t shy away from making that big save or coming for a cross.
“He will get back to what he was, no doubt about that.
“He will improve as a result of those last two games.”
Mark Beevers and Josh Vela will continue to tread a disciplinary tightrope tomorrow knowing one more booking will rule them out for two games, the next being a trip to direct promotion rivals Fleetwood Town.
The yellow cards are wiped clear on March 12, granting a little breathing room, but having seen Chris Long given a two-match ban for his dismissal against Bristol Rovers the Wanderers boss is keen to get on top of disciplinary issues.
“We have got to start keeping cool heads. I know things are not going for us at the moment but we need to be disciplined.
“We have lost one in six, so it isn’t terrible. But everyone knows this is a disjointed team compared to the one we had at Christmas time. There are no excuses. You have to be professional and understand that with the squad and the embargo we’re under, we can’t afford for players to be picking up cheap yellow cards or suspensions.”
Plans to assess Jem Karacan’s fitness in the Under-23s were dashed when the game at Nottingham Forest was called off in midweek.
The Reading midfielder is still training at Lostock but it is understood no firm decision will be made until the extent of Jay Spearing’s knee injury is revealed.
Parkinson admits his options are limited but that signing a free agent was a possibility.
“In terms of players who can play there – it’s obvious what we have got,” he said.
“There is a possibility we could sign someone on a month contract somewhere, and we may well do, but that is where we are.”
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Ben Alnwick suffered from a virus after the 2-2 draw at Bradford City in which he received criticism for his part in the two Bantams goals.
Fit again, the former Peterborough man could be restored to the team against AFC Wimbledon after his rival, Mark Howard, suffered similar nerves in the midweek draw against Bristol Rovers.
Parkinson has been careful not to label either keeper ‘first choice’ in order to maximise competitiveness but must now make a decision between two players who have some making up to do in the eyes of the Wanderers support.
“We left Ben out at Sheffield United because he was ill,” he said. “He has been excellent for us.
“Mark did okay at the weekend and I thought he’d come on from that game. It didn’t happen but one thing about Mark is that he won’t shy away from making that big save or coming for a cross.
“He will get back to what he was, no doubt about that.
“He will improve as a result of those last two games.”
Mark Beevers and Josh Vela will continue to tread a disciplinary tightrope tomorrow knowing one more booking will rule them out for two games, the next being a trip to direct promotion rivals Fleetwood Town.
The yellow cards are wiped clear on March 12, granting a little breathing room, but having seen Chris Long given a two-match ban for his dismissal against Bristol Rovers the Wanderers boss is keen to get on top of disciplinary issues.
“We have got to start keeping cool heads. I know things are not going for us at the moment but we need to be disciplined.
“We have lost one in six, so it isn’t terrible. But everyone knows this is a disjointed team compared to the one we had at Christmas time. There are no excuses. You have to be professional and understand that with the squad and the embargo we’re under, we can’t afford for players to be picking up cheap yellow cards or suspensions.”
Plans to assess Jem Karacan’s fitness in the Under-23s were dashed when the game at Nottingham Forest was called off in midweek.
The Reading midfielder is still training at Lostock but it is understood no firm decision will be made until the extent of Jay Spearing’s knee injury is revealed.
Parkinson admits his options are limited but that signing a free agent was a possibility.
“In terms of players who can play there – it’s obvious what we have got,” he said.
“There is a possibility we could sign someone on a month contract somewhere, and we may well do, but that is where we are.”
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