AFC Wimbledon’s summer recruitment drive is progressing more quickly than manager Neal Ardley had expected.
The Dons made their first signing last week as goalkeeper Ryan Clarke arrived from Northampton Town.
Clarke was followed through the door at Kingsmeadow by Stevenage winger Chris Whelpdale on Tuesday.
As many as four more players could be joining them as Ardley builds a squad capable of surviving in League One next season following promotion via the play-offs.
The Wimbledon manager had been expecting most of his deals to be concluded in late July but it appears negotiations are progressing swiftly.
Ardley told Dons Player: “We’ve had a really good week and we’re really close to one signing, possibly two or three.
"I did say that things would probably not happen until the back end of July, but it would be nice if we could surprise people with a few early! People are coming back now and there is one that we are hoping to get done by the end of the week.
“When we look at these players we are looking at everyone and their qualities. We are looking at players and thinking ‘they could certainly play in League 1 and maybe even better than that as they are at an age to keep progressing’. We have set in stone what we want for the team and we are trying to fit that criteria to the letter.”
Wimbledon are understood to be on the lookout for two strikers, a full-back, central defender and a central midfielder.
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