NEWS CHANNEL
Published: 21/07/2010 15:13 -
Updated: 21/07/2010 15:17
MK Dons boss Karl Robinson is continuing his search for a new defender.
Robinson has used the Dons' three pre-season matches as a chance to get his players some time on the pitch, improve their match fitness and as an opportunity to cast his eye over potential new signings.
It is the centre-back position in particular that Robinson feels he needs to strengthen having released Darren Powell and selling David McCracken to Brentford in the summer.
The Dons have already signed a defender in Gary MacKenzie but the Scotsman is yet to play a match due to injury, so Robinson plans to add another to his squad in time for the new season but only if he finds one good enough.
On Saturday Burnley's Kevin Long was handed a trial in the Dons' 3-1 win over St Neots Town, but then travelled to Carlisle United for a stint at Brunton Park before his parent club decide on his immediate future.
And last night (Tuesday) Robinson handed a trial to former Southampton and West Bromwich Albion defender Pele, as well as an unnamed Irish centre-back.
Portugal-born Pele, who spent last season with Falkirk, played 56 minutes in the 4-1 friendly win at Kettering Town, before being replaced by the Irish trialist.
Speaking after the game Robinson told MK NEWS: "One is the boy Pele from Southampton and West Brom he's worth £1m and he played for Falkirk last year, the other one is just an Irish boy that we picked up through a friend of mine, he's been playing in the Irish league and he's a real talent. He looked like a good player.
"My job's getting harder because I've got some unbelievably gifted players. All the players I've brought in - Lewis Guy, Dave Martin Didi Hamann, Gary Mackenzie, Angelo Balanta - they're all showing us how good they are, we've strengthened the squad this year.
"We're still looking to improve it defensively but we're also really happy. I'm happy Sean's got through 60 minutes which is a real positive, I gave him a hug when he came off because I want to wrap him in cotton wool because I love him to death.
"I won't give a date that I want a defender, if the right one doesn't turn up I'm not going to sign him. If the right one turns up tomorrow at my doorstep I'll sign him, if he turns up before the end of the window will have to sign him then."
Robinson has used the Dons' three pre-season matches as a chance to get his players some time on the pitch, improve their match fitness and as an opportunity to cast his eye over potential new signings.
It is the centre-back position in particular that Robinson feels he needs to strengthen having released Darren Powell and selling David McCracken to Brentford in the summer.
The Dons have already signed a defender in Gary MacKenzie but the Scotsman is yet to play a match due to injury, so Robinson plans to add another to his squad in time for the new season but only if he finds one good enough.
On Saturday Burnley's Kevin Long was handed a trial in the Dons' 3-1 win over St Neots Town, but then travelled to Carlisle United for a stint at Brunton Park before his parent club decide on his immediate future.
And last night (Tuesday) Robinson handed a trial to former Southampton and West Bromwich Albion defender Pele, as well as an unnamed Irish centre-back.
Portugal-born Pele, who spent last season with Falkirk, played 56 minutes in the 4-1 friendly win at Kettering Town, before being replaced by the Irish trialist.
Speaking after the game Robinson told MK NEWS: "One is the boy Pele from Southampton and West Brom he's worth £1m and he played for Falkirk last year, the other one is just an Irish boy that we picked up through a friend of mine, he's been playing in the Irish league and he's a real talent. He looked like a good player.
"My job's getting harder because I've got some unbelievably gifted players. All the players I've brought in - Lewis Guy, Dave Martin Didi Hamann, Gary Mackenzie, Angelo Balanta - they're all showing us how good they are, we've strengthened the squad this year.
"We're still looking to improve it defensively but we're also really happy. I'm happy Sean's got through 60 minutes which is a real positive, I gave him a hug when he came off because I want to wrap him in cotton wool because I love him to death.
"I won't give a date that I want a defender, if the right one doesn't turn up I'm not going to sign him. If the right one turns up tomorrow at my doorstep I'll sign him, if he turns up before the end of the window will have to sign him then."
