AFC Wimbledon boss Neal Ardley has been digging out the cotton wool to get his players fit for tonight’s League Two trip to relegated Dagenham & Redbridge.

Ardley lost Tom Elliott to illness and Jake Reeves to injury prior to the win over Crawley Town on Saturday.

Then, during the game, the manager lost Jon Meades and Connor Smith to injury.

However, Ardley could have three out of the four available for tonight.

He said: “We have to patch up a few – Jon took a shocking challenge on him and I have reviewed it again and he gets done, if the ref had seen it, it would have been a sending off.

“He fell on his shoulder, he has a massive black eye and a big bruise, so he is a doubt, but we’re hopeful.

“Jake Reeves has a hamstring injury and he is unlikely.

“Tom had tonsillitis and we had to bring off Connor Smith because his thigh was getting stiffer and stiffer – but both should be back.

“There were lots of ice baths and lots of cotton wool on Monday.”

Victory tonight will keep the Dons in the League Two play-offs with four games left, including a game in hand on all but Portsmouth – who the Dons face next week – in the top 10.

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Ardley said: “We will do our best top stay in the play-offs – one thing no-one can accuse us of is not trying.

“We’re over-achieving and we’re giving everything - this team, this squad is stronger than it has been all season.

“When the players look round the dressing room, with people like Darius Charles and Rhys Murphy, and you look at the options you’ve got, then I would be surprised if they don’t believe they can do it.”