AFC Wimbledon hoping for striker boost ahead of Portsmouth's visit

AFC Wimbledon are hoping James Hanson will be fit for Pompey's League One visit to Kingsmeadow on Saturday.
James Hanson could return from injury to face Pompey on Saturday. Picture: PA ImagesJames Hanson could return from injury to face Pompey on Saturday. Picture: PA Images
James Hanson could return from injury to face Pompey on Saturday. Picture: PA Images

The summer signing from Sheffield United has missed the Dons' past three games with a hamstring strain. 

Neal Ardley's men sit 20th in the table and just one point above the relegation zone.

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Wimbledon have failed to score in 1-0 defeats to Bradford and Plymouth in the past two weeks.

James Hanson could return from injury to face Pompey on Saturday. Picture: PA ImagesJames Hanson could return from injury to face Pompey on Saturday. Picture: PA Images
James Hanson could return from injury to face Pompey on Saturday. Picture: PA Images

Although Hanson has yet to break his goal duck for the Dons, he will give Ardley a welcome boost ahead of his side's clash against the Blues.

The Wimbledon boss told the South London Press: '˜I'd like to think he (Hanson) will be back next weekend.

'˜Hopefully he'll train this week and be in contention for Saturday.'

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The Wombles have already recorded a victory over Pompey this season.

They knocked Kenny Jackett's side out of the Carabao Cup, delivering a 2-1 first-round victory at Fratton Park in August.

However, Wimbledon have only won two of their subsequent 13 matches in all competitions.

Ardley wants his troops to get back to the level of form they displayed at the start of the campaign. 

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He added: '˜We had a bit of swagger and belief from our performances earlier in the season and the friendlies for us to know we were a good team.

'˜Results since have beaten a little bit of that (belief) out of us.

'˜We have got to try to get that back. If we get that back, we can be a good team again.

'˜There is not bundles wrong with performances. I've not seen too many teams where I have thought they are miles better than us.'

Pompey travel to Crawley in the Checkatrade Trophy tonight (7.45pm).

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