AFC Wimbledon have been dealt a massive blow after Charlton blocked their bid to keep Michael Smith at Kingsmeadow.
Smith has been banging in the goals for fun at Wimbledon but his loan from the Addicks is set to expire at the turn of the year.
Dons manager Neal Ardley had been hoping to hang onto the nine-goal striker beyond January and had even pondered a permanent deal for the 22-year-old.
But his pursuit of the tall forward has been rebuffed by Charlton manager Chris Powell who says he wants Smith to return to the Valley after January 1.
Powell said: “The plan will be that Michael Smith will come back and we will assess it then, but the plan was always for him to come back.
"The plan was for him to go out and settle somewhere and Wimbledon was the right club for him. I know Neal and his staff well.
“At first, Michael was a bit reluctant. He wanted to prove himself here but actually getting the games and scoring the goals at League Two was good for him and good for Wimbledon. It’s been a good loan all-round.
“I’ve spoken to Michael and he feels he’s got unfinished business here. No doubt, with how we’ve gone, he would’ve had an opportunity here. I want Michael to come back initially and we’ll assess him and see if he’s ready.”
Should Powell decide Smith is not ready to help out in his team’s Championship relegation scrap, a return to the Dons could become a possibility.
However, his performances this season have not gone unnoticed and Ardley will have to compete with a cluster of League One and League Two clubs for his signature.
Powell added: “Looking at him, he looks good. We’ve got the reports on him. I know Wimbledon would love to keep him, and that may happen, he may come back for a couple of weeks and we may feel that it might be right for him.
“But I want him back here first. He’s our player and I think it’s only right that he comes back here and gets a few pats on the back from us and Wimbledon and then we will assess it then. It’s been a good move for him.”
