Johnnie Jackson: Dons forward will get opportunities with Bugiel and Al-Hamadi away

AFC Wimbledon boss Johnnie Jackson says forward Aron Sasu will get opportunities now Omar Bugiel and Ali Al-Hamadi are away on international duty.

The attacking duo are set to miss at least nearly the whole of January, which sees Wimbledon take on Oxford, Wrexham, Crawley, Milton Keynes and Mansfield after they were called up to represent their respective nations at the 2023 Asia Cup.

Bugiel is away with Lebanon and Al-Hamadi was called up to Iraq’s squad.

Ex-Tranmere and Swansea youngster Al-Hamadi has 17 goals and seven assists in all competitions for Johnnie Jackson this season before heading to Qatar for the tournament.

Academy graduate Sasu, 18, started the 3-1 FA Cup third round defeat at home to Ipswich on Saturday afternoon, lining up alongside Josh Davison.

“They did really well,” said Jackson of the duo’s performance against the high-flying Championship side.

“We have high hopes for Aron.

“He’s not had the opportunities, but he’s going to get them now with Ali and Omar being away and Josh Neufville being out.

“There are opportunities there and I have full confidence in him and Josh that they can lead the line.”

Neufville, 22, was missing from the matchday squad against the Tractor Boys.

“He’s injured,” the ex-Charlton boss added.

“We will know more next week, but we need to get scanned, and we will know a bit more then.”

Defender Alex Pearce was forced off in the 35th minute with Paul Kalambyi coming on in his place.

“It looked like a thigh strain,” admitted Jackson.

“We don’t know the extent of it but we’ll find that out this week.”

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