Experienced Dons defender on “fantastic’ loan signing from Huddersfield Town

Alex Pearce is delighted that AFC Wimbledon have signed striker Kyle Hudlin from Huddersfield Town on a season-long loan.

Former Millwall club captain Pearce, 33,  played 70 minutes for the Dons as they lost 3-0 against Ipswich Town at Plough Lane on Saturday afternoon.

New signing Hudlin did not feature in the pre-season game but was expected to start training with the League Two club today.

Pearce told Wimbledon’s website: “It’s fantastic news. He’ll be a threat for us, and we’ll welcome him into the group. Hopefully there’s more to come. It’s positive times.

“I’m feeling good. I would have preferred to have got the win, of course, but it was always going to be tough against a good League One side in Ipswich.

“It’s about going out there, getting to know your team-mates and playing at the stadium for the first time in front of a decent crowd. It was good to experience that.

“It’s disappointing to lose this game, but we’re not going to get judged off that. We got what we wanted out of it – good fitness work, exercise and minutes in the legs – and we’ll move on to the training ground on Monday ahead of the next game.

“There could always be more communication and that’s one of the things we can work on. We can address that in training. It’s a young group, so for players like myself it’s going to be vitally important.

“The young lads have been great, and they’ve really done well in pre-season. They’re going to be needed throughout the whole season, as with everyone. We’re going to really come together as a group and we’re not far away now.”

PICTURE: KEITH GILLARD