Dons had to rejig January transfer plans after loan departures

AFC Wimbledon boss Johnnie Jackson has admitted the club have had to change their January transfer window plans after the departures of Ryley Towler and Paris Maghoma.

Bristol City recalled defender Ryley Towler after they accepted a low six-figure sum from League One side Portsmouth.

The 20-year-old made 24 appearances under Jackson and played every minute of Wimbledon’s 10-game unbeaten run in League Two.

Brentford also recalled Paris Maghoma, who made 24 appearances during his loan spell at Plough Lane, after the midfielder picked up an injury.

The Dons have made three signings in the winter window, with winger Sam Pearson joining on loan from Bristol City, midfielder Armani Little arriving from Forest Green on loan and Ali Al-Hamadi sealing a permanent switch from Wycombe.

Kyle Hudlin also returned to Huddersfield.

“With Kyle, there was always an expectation that he might go back in January,” Jackson told the South London Press. “With Maghoma and Towler, it came as a surprise to us. 

“The dialogue that we had been having with their parent clubs was that they were very pleased with them and with us – the job we were doing with them and how their development was going.

“It was a shock, but sometimes you become a victim of your own success.

“We have helped them develop their game as players. In Ryley’s case, that has caught the eye of teams higher up who have gone and made a play for him.

“It was out of our hands – if Bristol want to accept a bid for him, there is nothing we can do about that.

“It was disappointing. On the one hand, he’s a very difficult player to replace because of what he has done for us, but on the other hand, I’m so pleased for the lad – he’s a great kid. He deserves the opportunity at a really good club.”

PICTURES: KEITH GILLARD