AFC Wimbledon finally ready to face Newcastle United in EFL Cup
Johnnie Jackson says AFC Wimbledon have endured a “crazy week” as they prepare to face Newcastle in their rescheduled and relocated Carabao Cup third-round tie at St James’ Park.
The Dons were forced to postpone the original fixture after flooding caused substantial damage to their Plough Lane pitch, which meant the club also had to shelve their League Two game against Accrington Stanley at the weekend.
“It’s been difficult at times not knowing who we’re playing and when we’re playing,” the Wimbledon boss told BBC Radio London.
“The first few days we spent not knowing whether we were preparing for Accrington, then when we found out that wasn’t going to happen, it was all focus back on to Newcastle – so we’ve almost done two preps for them.
“It’s been a crazy week in Wimbledon’s story. But we’ve now managed to have a two or three-day lead-in, which we wouldn’t have had before, so it’s given us a bit more breathing space.”
More than 100,000 litres of water were pumped out of Plough Lane after the nearby River Wandle burst its banks at the beginning of last week, but Jackson is confident the pitch will be playable for the Dons’ next scheduled home league game, against Carlisle on 12 October.
Wimbledon are sixth in the table, with two games in hand on all of their rivals, and Jackson added: “The chances are we’re going to fall further behind through no fault of our own, but we’re still in a really good position.
“They’re working tirelessly to repair that part of the pitch and as a club we are really hopeful we should be able to fulfil our next home game.”
