AFC Wimbledon boss Neal Ardley has backed goalkeeper Ross Worner to become a fans’ favourite, despite an error-strewn debut on Wednesday night.

Worner, a summer signing from Aldershot, played the first hour of the 1-1 friendly draw with Championship outfit Charlton Athletic, and it was after one of a clutch of nervy clearances that the Addicks scored the opener.

Alan Bennett levelled for the Dons in an overall display that pleased Ardley – although after the shaky night at the back, he admitted the team have not done any defensive training as yet.

Ardley said: “We will concentrate on defending in the build-up to the first game of the season.

“All we’ve done so far is work on playing out from the back, through midfield and our movement patterns, which we did well tonight.

“What happens with football players is that whatever you work on, they take that to extremes and forget about every other part of the game.

“If you work on playing out from the back, they’ll play out from the back, and forget how to attack.

“Ultimately, before the first game of the season, the last thing you want in their mind is defending, cover and jobs at the back. So we’ll ramp that up when that time comes.”

The Dons continue their pre-season campaign on Saturday with a double-header. They go to Walton Casuals (noon) and then Sutton United (3pm).

Despite his nervy debut, Worner, pictured, is likely to get nearer 90 minutes this Saturday after getting Ardley’s vote of confidence.

Ardley said: “It was Ross’s first game. He wanted to impress a new crowd and show them what he can do.

“I did not think the players helped him early on by setting a few passes back to his right foot.

“The grass is long and the ball can swivel in the grass onto his wrong foot.

“There were some that were loose, but that was just nerves.

“I have seen him, and he is an excellent goalkeeper – there are no worries about that.

“He will be a fans’ favourite within a month.”

Rhys Weston played in the Charlton friendly, but Ardley would not be drawn on the defender’s future.

He said: “We’re taking our time with Rhys, and he knew it would be a long process to the end of the pre-season.

“We’ll have another look at him on Saturday, where hopefully everyone will get closer to 90 minutes.”

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There are still a handful of season tickets remaining for the Dons’ new League Two campaign. More than 2,600 have been sold so far this summer ahead of Ardley’s first full campaign as boss, and you can get yours at afcwimbledon. co.uk/tickets/ season-tickets.