Tom Beere is better prepared than ever to take first-team opportunities at AFC Wimbledon, according to boss Neal Ardley.
Dons’ Academy graduate appeared to have made the breakthrough at Kingsmeadow after making 20 appearances as a teenager in 2014-15.
But his goal from off the bench as a substitute in last season’s play-off semi-final first leg against Accrington was a fleeting appearance in the club’s promotion year.
Yet Ardley believes the now 21-year-old midfielder, given a first league start this season in Saturday’s 2-0 win over Gillingham, has made a leap forward over the summer and is ready to play his part amid midfield rotations when called upon.
“I’m delighted with Tom,” said Ardley.
“He has come back leaner, fitter and stronger than he has the previous two seasons when we have had to loan him out.
“We just felt we could put a fresh pair of legs in there and give Bully (Danny Bulman) a breather and it has worked out really well.”
Beere’s only previous start this season came in the 3-0 Checkatrade Trophy win over Swansea U23s and given Ardley needs to name six of Saturday’s starting line-up in the next group game against Plymouth tonight (Tuesday), the odds are on him getting another run-out.
One man who looks certain to be rested is Jon Meades, who Ardley admits has been nursed through a niggling injury for some weeks.
“Measdesy’ has been struggling with his calf and his ankle for a while, but we’ve keep churning him out and he keeps battling on for us, so we need to give him a little bit of a breather to see if we can get his legs back where he needs them to be,” Ardley added.
“It is an ongoing thing we are trying to manage and do all the right things, but the games have just caught up with him.
“He’s done his bit for the team and we’ll look to freshen it up a bit Tuesday.
Meades’ rest should mean a first start for summer signing Sean Kelly since the league draw at Northampton in mid-August.
