Neal Ardley is working with an increased budget at AFC Wimbledon but that doesn’t mean he needs to shell out big transfer fees.
This summer’s released lists are packed full of talented players who would be available to sign up for free during the close season.
Wimbledon have made room for some new faces by showing the door to four of last season’s’ squad while Sammy Moore left by mutual consent.
Bayo Akinfenwa has committed to the club on improved terms, eating up some of Ardley’s cash, but there’s still enough in the pot for the Dons boss to take a look at the options in our gallery and read all about the players with our profiles below.
1. Ryan Bird
Striker whose prolific form down the road for Burnham (45 goals in as many games as they won promotion to the Southern Premier) two years ago earned him a move to Portsmouth, following a trial with Wycombe.
While not a huge success at Pompey, netting three goals in 20 games, Bird showed his eye for goal once more with five goals in nine games on loan at Cambridge, earning him a permanent move to the Abbey Stadium.
Bird struck five more times in 24 games for the Us last season but was not offered a new deal. However, a fairly local lad, having been born in Slough, and aged just 27, Bird could yet make it as a pro if he gets the right move, and could only learn off experienced heads like Akinfenwa.
2. Matt Sparrow
Midfielder who has been released by Scunthorpe United after more than 400 games for the Iron, the 33-year-old has bags of experience after winning promotion to the Championship with both Scunthorpe and Brighton.
Sparrow ended last season on loan at Cheltenham Town after falling down the pecking order at Glanford Park, but could not stop the Whaddon Road side slipping into the Conference. Born in Wembley, he’d fancy a move back to the London area.
3. Joe Devera
Having lost the likes of Adam Barrett, Alan Bennett, Jake Goodman and Deji Oshilaja, Ardley is desperate for numbers at the back and this man could prove a useful addition.
Following more than 200 games for Barnet, Devera was signed by Paolo Di Canio in 2011 and helped his Swindon Town side win the League Two title in his first season, before helping the Robins into the League One play-offs the following year.
Despite being a regular for Portsmouth for the past two years, the 28 year old has not has his contract renewed. Having been deployed at both centre-back and right-back at Fratton Park, he would add versatility to the Dons squad.
4. Joel Grant
If they are looking for some added firepower, the Dons could do a lot worse than bring Joel Grant to Kingsmeadow.
After signing from Crewe in May 2011, Grant netted 14 goals in two seasons at Wycombe, including 11 in 2012-13 before being snapped up by Yeovil, newly promoted to the Championship, and was a regular for them in the second tier of English football.
Grant was released following Yeovil's second successive relegation but can offer creativity, flair and an eye for goal that Wimbledon are badly in need of.
5. Conor Clifford
Conor Clifford's pedigree is not in question, having started out in Chelsea's academy and turned out for the Republic of Ireland's U17s, U19s and U21s.
The 23 year old midfielder is another with undoubted potential just looking for the right move to relaunch their career following his release by Southend.
Clifford spent the second half of last season on loan at Barnet, who he helped to the Conference title, and is well thought of at The Hive.
6. Wes Fogden
Being praised as an unsung hero by current managerial hot property Eddie Howe is not a bad thing to have on your CV – and that is exactly how the Bournemouth boss described Wes Fogden two years ago.
The 27-year-old midfielder was a regular when Howe started his south coast revolution but started to feature less and less as the Cherries moved up the divisions on their way to the Premier League.
Fogden has been let go by Portsmouth after spending the last 18 months in there, but will not only fit into Wimbledon’s style of play after being schooled in Howe's footballing philosophy, but can also play at full-back, which would give him another tick in the book.
7. Jamie McCombe
With Ardley desperate for a centre-half, Jamie McCombe is another who would provide a very experienced head at the back.
Spending four years at Bristol City, the 32 year old was voted player of the year in his first season as he helped them into the Championship, and so nearly made it into the top flight a year later, but City lost the play-off final to Hull City.
Spells in both the Championship and League One with Huddersfield and Doncaster followed, but he is currently a free agent.
8. Kaid Mohamed
Part of the Dons squad that won promotion under Terry Brown, Kaid Mohamed could make a sensational return this summer.
While never as prolific as in his non-league days with Bath City, Mohamed has weighed in with goals for the Dons, Cheltenham, Bristol Rovers and Northampton since being handed a second chance in the Football League four years ago.
However, he has failed to hit the back of the net for Port Vale since moving there two years ago, having more lucks in loan spells away from Vale Park, and has been let go by the Valiants.
The 30-year-old is another who can play in a variety of positions along the front line though, equally at home on either wing or leading the attack.
9. Will Hoskins
It doesn't seem that long ago that Will Hoskins was hot property, snapped up by Watford after a string of impressive performances for Rotherham.
Despite things not quite going to plan at Vicarage Road, 17 goals in a season for Bristol Rovers earned Hoskins a move back to the Championship with Brighton.
But he ended up at Oxford United last season, making just a handful of appearances.
However, the former England U18, U19 and U20 international is still only 29 and, if he gets the right move, that talent could well be tapped into once again.
10. Jon Meades
Jon Meades was an instant hit when Ardley raided his old club Cardiff to sign him on loan in November 2012.
A pivotal figure in Wimbledon’s bid for survival, Meades won two player of the year awards as he helped the Dons beat the drop.
Ardley offered the midfielder a contract following his Release by Bournemouth but the player instead chose to join Oxford United.
An ankle ligament injury wrecked his time at the Kassam and Meades was again shown the door this summer after his two-year deal expired.
