AFC Wimbledon boss Dave Anderson wants to emulate Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho as he faces a central defensive injury crisis.

Paul Lorraine was forced off with an ankle injury in Saturday's goalless draw with Margate after falling awkwardly.

The injury leaves the Dons with just one fully fit central defender, Steve Butler, as they approach the business end of the season.

Lorraine, Steve Watson and even reserve team centre-back Casey McLaren are out injured, leaving Anderson with a shortage of personnel at the heart of his defence reminiscent to the Chelsea manager's crisis earlier in the season.

Mourinho has been forced to employ midfielder Michael Essien in central defence several times this season, and Anderson admits he may be forced into a similar move to solve his dilemma.

Anderson said: "We have got four centre-halves at the club and three are injured but what can you do?

"Jose Mourinho has been doing without centre-backs and they have got millions of pounds to spend.

"Thankfully, we have got players who can play there in an emergency.

"Simon Sweeney can play centre-half, as can Michael Haswell and Chris Gell.

"We will deal with the situation the best we can."

Lorraine sat out Tuesday's win over Carshalton Athletic and remains a doubt for the weekend visit to Hendon, but Anderson praised the central defender's attitude.

"Paul has declared himself fit for the Carshalton match but he would play if he had one of his legs chopped off," Anderson said.

"He has rolled his ankle, so we are being very careful not to rush him back and make the injury worse."

Anderson's shortage of central defenders meant giving Antony Howard a return to the first-team fold quicker than he would have liked.

Although the big man has still not 100 per cent recovered from his broken nose, he was outstanding in the 2-0 victory over Carshalton.

"His nose is fine and he says he is fine to play," Anderson added.

"But it means he is taking the chance of having his nose broken again every time he steps on to the field."