Pair could return to Dons' squad for Swindon trip

Ste Walker and Matthew Sorinola are set to return from illness to join up with Dons for their trip to Swindon on Tuesday night.

The pair, who live together, both fell ill over Christmas and missed the game against Bristol Rovers on Boxing Day. But Walker tested negative for Covid-19 and was able to rejoin since, while the club are still waiting on Sorinola's results to come back.

"Ste will be back for tomorrow, Matty has had to be tested so we're waiting on the results of his test," the manager confirmed. "If he's negative, he'll be back involved as well. They live together and with Ste coming back negative, we're hoping Matty's test is as well.

"Most of the guys I've spoken to in football who have tested positive haven't had any symptoms. The fact these guys have had a runny nose or a cough or a sore throat is usually a sign that it's a cold. We have to treat every case differently though."

It serves as a boost for Russell Martin, who was without eight players for the visit of Rovers and could only name five on the bench. He hinted that both David Kasumu and Warren O'Hora too could return to the fold, with the Irish defender limping out on Boxing Day.

He continued: "David is recovering really well, really quickly. Warren the same. We were quite fearful with Warren when he came off but it's not as bad as first thought. He has come in today (Monday) looking pretty good so that's a positive for us.

"The rest is as it was. Kieran (Agard) will be out for longer than the others, I don't think we'll have him for the next few games.

"Jordan Houghton is doing nicely but he won't be ready for a while, Louis Thompson will hopefully be back with us training in the next couple of weeks and ready to be selected.

"Jay Bird was a longer-term one as well, which is frustrating because with the injuries we have, he could have had opportunities to play. We're getting there, they're in good hands."