Poole needs to master one position to be a Dons regular

Regan Poole is a victim of being able to play well in too many positions and may need to hone just one to lock down a more regular place in Dons' starting line-up next season.

The 22-year-old Welshman played 25 times for Dons last season but struggled to string back-to-back games together as he was in and out of the side as defensive cover. Able to play at centre back as part of a two or three, at wing-back or full-back and even in central midfield for Wales U21s at times, Poole himself admits he wants to play in just one spot next season to help him become a more regular part of Russell Martin's plans.

Poole said: "Everywhere I've been I've played difference positions – with Wales I play central midfield too. I'm kind of all over the place. Hopefully this year I can lock down a position, keep my place in the side and play as many games as possible. I'm not sure position I'd like – centre back or right back depending on the formation.

"I got 25 games in last season, so if I can do a bit better than that, get a few more games under my belt I can take it from there."

And those thoughts are echoed by his manager too.

"He's been victim of playing three or four positions," said Martin. "He's found somewhere he's settled and happy, and I hope we can maximise Regan this year because he's a really good player.

"Regan did great at times last year. He played a few different positions. He is someone who exemplifies everything we want on a day-to-day basis, in terms of the way he trains, his mentality, his attitude, the way he has come back physically. It's about him fine-tuning and making sure he knows what he's best at and working on it.

"He's an absolute pleasure to work with. He's seriously fit and athletic, it's now about maximising what he has. Everything he takes on he embraces and gives it everything. I feel the ceiling is really high, but he needs to know what he is and what he's best at in terms of his career."