Martin praises trio after Coventry defeat

Russell Martin highlighted three of his young players on Saturday after their Carabao Cup defeat to Coventry City.

While Tyler Walker's goal nine minutes from time was enough to snatch victory for the 10-men of City, who had Declan Drysdale sent off in the first half, it was a promising performance from Dons who were without five defenders through injury and international duty, and are still to replace Rhys Healey after his sale to Toulouse last week.

Since his departure, Lasse Sorensen signed on Friday on loan from Stoke City and was thrust straight into the starting 11 for Saturday's game.

"Lasse was excellent in his first game, considering he's not trained with us," said the manager. "He's got character, quality and athleticism, everything we wanted him to bring to the team."

Without Regan Poole, Richard Keogh, Warren O'Hora, Daniel Harvie and George Williams, Martin named Matthew Sorinola - who impressed in his handful of appearances last season - and John Freeman, who was making his Dons first team debut out of position from his regular midfield haunt.

Both though also impressed the manager, who said: "Matty was great. With any young player, you'll get some good moment with some not so good moments. He just needs to believe in himself as much as we do. He got better as the game went on and he did great. I was really pleased with him.

"John Freeman was excellent too, playing in a position he is unfamiliar with. He has to learn from their set piece but credit to the youngsters – they listen, they take in the details and they learn quickly and that's why they get their opportunity. Both of them took it today, but they need to make sure in defining moment, they are on top."

Another man missing from the action on Saturday was Ben Gladwin. Like Freeman, Gladwin has suffered an injury-torn two years so news of his admission caused concern amongst some Dons fans ahead of the new campaign.

"He got a knock in training on Friday, we'll have to have a look at it," Martin explained. "Hopefully the results will come back in a few days when it settles down. It's probably too early to tell whether he'll be ready for Tuesday. It's disappointing."