In-form Dom is enjoying Dons' life

Dominic Poleon

DOMINIC Poleon will aim to strike a blow against his former club this weekend, in order to push surprise package AFC Wimbledon back towards the top six in Sky Bet League One.

Such has been the Dons' form lately, manager Neal Ardley has been nominated for the Sky Bet League One manager of the month award after claiming five wins in the month of October.

The early-season form of new signing Poleon, back in his London roots, has helped drive the impressive run from last season's play-off final winners.

As it stands, the Dons sit 11 places above MK Dons - the side that controversially took their place in the Football League. Only having reformed by supporters in 2002 following the original club's relocation to Buckinghamshire, it's a remarkable success story that has taken in six promotions.

Highly-rated boss Ardley, who played for the Dons in their former life, was clearly determined to make Poleon one of his major signing targets following the club's Wembley triumph over Plymouth.

And having score six goals for his new club already this season - more than he managed in all of last term at SportsDirect.com Park - the move appears to have worked.

"Dominic was the first name on our lips," said Ardley, after former Leeds striker Poleon had put pen to paper. "We tried to get onto it straight away.

"Oldham wanted to strike a deal with him, but he is a London boy. We tried to pull on the old heart strings to get him some home cooking back with his Mum!

"We are delighted to have him. This is a lad with Championship experience at the age of 20 and League One experience between 21 and 22.

"We are not taking a punt on an unknown. This is a lad we think we can improve, but he also brings real quality."

Poleon missed the 2-2 draw with Bury in Saturday's FA Cup first-round tie through injury but then played for 72 minutes in the 2-0 midweek Checkatrade Trophy loss at Newport.

Dons' assistant boss Neil Cox hinted that the team may again be changed by the time they visit Athletic on Saturday.

"We have had a good go. We have made a few changes, but we have had to use the squad as we have a lot of games coming up.

"We have to use everybody at the moment.

"We have had four centre-backs who have played and everyone needs to be fit.

"Looking at our squad, we have 18 or 19 fit people who are all raring to go in different positions, while we can change formations."