Dons limping to the January transfer window (From Sutton Guardian)

Ardley faces up to a large hole in the Dons' midfield

7:00am Saturday 8th December 2012 in Sport By Tim Ashton

AFC  Wimbledon boss Neal Ardley admits that this side is limping towards the January transfer window.

He also described this weekend’s League Two trip to Barnet as the “proverbial six pointer”.

Barnet currently prop up the table, three points behind the Dons and level on goal difference.

And when he needs it least, Ardley is missing loanee Jake Reeves, who has been recalled by Brentford, and doubts remain over defenders Pim Balkestein and Mat Mitchel-King’s match fitness. George Francomb’s loan period has come to an end while Steven Gregory returns to Bournemouth on December 16.

Ardley said: “I am really disappointed about Jake’s recall. He was our fall back for when Steven’s loan ended. It will leave us with a hole in the middle – we really are limping to the January transfer window.”

On the plus-side, Ardley is enjoying having some extended time on the training pitch after a gruelling schedule of weekend and mid-week games.

Postponements pending, the Dons do not have a mid-week game until the visit of Northampton Town on Boxing Day.

“Barnet is the proverbial six-pointer. We had a good meeting with the lads on Monday and spoke about how important it is to work hard for each other and carry on the good work we put in for the MK Dons game.”