AFC Wimbledon’s new-look defence will face its first test this weekend as Neal Ardley takes his side to Stevenage.

The Dons boss has been unable to negotiate an extended deal for Adam Barrett and the Gillingham veteran looks set to return to Southend United.

Barrett’s departure left a hole in the Wimbledon backline that Ardley has moved to fill by bringing in Cardiff City’s Adedeji Oshilaja until the end of the season.

Departure: Adam Barrett has left Wimbledon

He has also managed to agree a fresh loan deal with Millwall for young centre-half Jake Goodman, who was due to head back to the Den this week.

However. Frankie Sutherland has gone back to QPR and Matt Tubbs has also departed.

“Adedeji is a player who I’ve worked with before and I actually brought him to Cardiff,” Ardley told Dons Player. “Deji can play in various positions, but he’s a centre-back who brings different qualities. He is lightning quick, very athletic and a good one-on-one defender.

Extended stay: AFC Wimbledon's Jake Goodman

“I think it’s important to know the players that you are bringing in. When we knew that bringing Adam back would not be straightforward, we looked around and we felt that Deji would be the best option.

“We’ve signed Jake [Goodman] too until the end of this season. He has come in and taken to League 2 football like a duck to water. Jake wanted to stay and hopefully he can kick-on and have a really strong second half to the season.

“Adam [Barrett] has been a great professional and he did a fantastic job for us.

Manager of the month: Neal Ardley takes ot the field

“I would have loved to have had him here longer. When Andy Frampton got injured it was a such a big blow, but Adam has been magnificent."

Meanwhile, Ardley is celebrating after being named manager of the month after beating off competition from Micky Adams, Justin Edinburgh and Stevenage gaffer Graham Westley, who he will lock horns with on Saturday, to bag the December gong.

Follow all the build-up, matchday action and post-game reaction to Stevenage v AFC Wimbledon here on GetWestLondon.