O'Hora is 'a real leader' on the pitch for Dons

Though Harry Darling has been Dons' leading man in defence of late, his centre-back partner Warren O'Hora deserves as much praise according to Russell Martin.

The 21-year-old, playing first-team football for the first time this season, has made 34 appearances this season after originally signing on loan from Brighton in the summer.

Both O'Hora and Martin have admitted the Irishman had a lot of learning to do when he first arrived at the club but his influence on the team is becoming more important alongside fellow January signing Harry Darling.

Martin, who also praised Zak Jules after his first game at centre-back since signing from Walsall in February, said O'Hora's influence and impact is growing with every game since signing permanently from Brighton during the transfer window, and deserved as much praise as his defensive partners on Saturday after the clean sheet against Doncaster Rovers.

"Warren O'Hora was outstanding," said Martin. "He has been a big part of our recent results. He's starting to add organisation to his game, his voice and energy show he's a real leader. It's a big credit to both of them.

"I don't think he makes the surging runs Harry does, but not many can. The responsibility he takes on the ball, the way he brings others in, the way he defends and stuff he does off the ball is so big for us. He's grown so much this year. He was worried early on that he wouldn't get up to the standard but everything he has asked him to improve he has done.

"That was a big bit of business we did in January to keep him."