Young Player of the Year award will drive Nombe on next season

Sam Nombe capped a break-out season by landing the MKDSA Young Player of the Season award on Friday night.

The 21-year-old was thrust into the Dons first team thanks to injuries to Joe Mason and Rhys Healey early in the campaign. And after four goals in four games, including the opener against AFC Wimbledon live on Sky Sports, he was tipped for big things this season. But he too would suffer a lengthy spell on the sidelines, missing Dons' dismal patch which cost Paul Tisdale his job.

Finishing the season with five goals in 25 appearances, Nombe held off competition from fellow academy graduate David Kasumu who also enjoyed a brilliant break-out season in midfield.

"It's pleasing to win it," Nombe said. "It has been great coming through the ranks of the academy and to win this means a lot. It means I can continue to push forwards and improve as a player and shows I've worked hard enough to earn this award."

With the players locked down since early March, Nombe said he has been struggling without playing football and has been testing his girlfriend's nerves by playing in the house.

He continued: "I miss football every day! I play football in the house and my missus gets stressed because she thinks I'm going to break something! My main focus now is just to be ready.

"I've been doing a lot of running and cycling, which has been tedious at times but we have to be ready for next season. It's a shame we didn't get to finish this one, but we're pleased we're still in League One and now we are going to push to develop ourselves when we get back."