Johnnie Jackson may face a defensive dilemma for AFC Wimbledon’s upcoming match against MK Dons, as Ryan Johnson left the field injured before the 20-minute mark in their last game against Fleetwood Town.
It’s still uncertain whether the newly appointed vice-captain will be fit to feature in the MK game. If he’s ruled out, Jackson will need to decide on a replacement for the starting lineup.
Jackson could opt for the young and promising Isaac Ogundere, who replaced Johnson against Fleetwood and performed well. Alternatively, he might go with the experienced John-Joe O’Toole, who was a key part of a resilient display in last season’s home match against MK Dons and could be deserving of a start.
Ryan Johnson injury latest
However, with the first edition of a match this season that most fans wish didn’t exist fast approaching this weekend, an update on Ryan Johnson is expected soon.
In the meantime, Jackson spoke to the *South London Press* after the game against Fleetwood and offered some insight into Johnson’s early substitution. He told reporter Edmund Brack, “He felt his groin, we don’t know how bad it is yet. Hopefully, it’s not too bad. We have a couple of weeks to recover, so we will assess it in the next couple of days. It’s been a tough schedule. We’ve been quite lucky with injuries so far, but we’re disappointed to lose him today.”
Potential Replacements for Ryan Johnson
While Jackson could switch to a 4-4-2 formation and rely on Joe Lewis and Riley Harbottle as the two centre-backs, it’s more likely he will stick with the 5-3-2/3-5-2 setup for Saturday’s game.
Given the available players, the choice is likely between Isaac Ogundere and John-Joe O’Toole to fill Johnson’s spot. Ogundere has a strong claim, having replaced Johnson after his injury and enjoying a solid season so far.
This week, the young defender has appeared in all but one of Wimbledon’s matches, having been benched for the Dons’ win over Cheltenham Town late last month. In the games he’s played, despite being frequently targeted by opposition forwards, especially in aerial duels, he has impressed and shown growth in the role Jackson first assigned to him during pre-season.
| Isaac Ogundere’s League Two 2024/25 Stats | |
| Appearances | 3 |
| Average Minutes Per Game | 84 |
| Clean Sheets | 1 |
| Tackles Per Game | 1.3 |
| Balls Recovered Per Game | 2.7 |
| Dribbled Past Per Game | 0.3 |
| Clearances Per Game | 2.7 |
| Accurate Passes Per Game | 1.7 |
| Touches Per Game | 22.7 (76%) |
| Total Duels Won Per Game | 3.3 (36%) |
| Stats Correct As Of September 11, 2024 – As Per Sofascore | |
His standout moment of the 24/25 season so far was his decisive penalty in the Carabao Cup win against Ipswich Town. After a solid defensive performance against Premier League opposition throughout the 90 minutes, the 21-year-old confidently stepped up to take the fifth and deciding penalty, sending Ipswich’s Christian Walton the wrong way and powering the ball into the net.
On the other hand, while John-Joe O’Toole has had limited game time this season, only appearing in the EFL Trophy win over Wycombe Wanderers, he still has a strong case for the position and should look to stake his claim.
John-Joe O’Toole is the better option v MK Dons
The reason O’Toole has such a strong claim for the position stems from his outstanding performance against the same opposition in last season’s dramatic victory.
Brought in as a versatile squad player in January, O’Toole was expected to cover multiple positions. However, when both Johnson and Lewis suffered long-term injuries, he was thrust into the team alongside Lee Brown and Kofi Balmer to form a makeshift back three. Despite the circumstances, O’Toole quickly adapted and stood out as a key player.
He held his ground defensively, rarely diving into tackles, and, despite being 35, he managed to keep pace with dangerous players like Alex Gilbey, Jack Payne, and Max Dean, limiting them to few chances. His leadership was also invaluable when Ronan Curtis scored a last-minute winner, as O’Toole kept the team composed to see out the match.
These qualities make him a more experienced and calming presence than Ogundere, despite the academy graduate’s merits. If Wimbledon wants an older head who can not only bring composure but also stir up trouble for the opposition, O’Toole is a top choice.
Selecting O’Toole may require Jackson to adjust the lineup, possibly moving him into the central defensive role with Lewis shifting to a wider position. However, given his experience and proven ability to deliver in high-stakes situations, O’Toole is an ideal candidate for this important match. Everyone at Wimbledon knows he can rise to the occasion.
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