Neal Ardley admits he has drawn a blank in his bid to bring another centre back in at AFC Wimbledon.

Karleigh Osbourne’s season-ending knee ligament injury left the Dons boss with veteran Paul Robinson and teenage starlet Ryan Sweeney as his only options at the heart of the Wombles’ rear-guard.

Ardley confirmed he had made enquiries about a handful of potential recruits to take the pressure off Sweeney in particular.

However, with the season approaching the business end it seems other managers are reluctant to risk leaving themselves short, even in cases where the experienced head Ardley wants isn’t even making the bench at their parent club.

“The problem has not been identifying a target,” he said.

“We have made strong enquiries over five players and tried to get one of them in, but failed on all accounts, not because of money, but just because no-one wants to let anyone out of the building.

Out for the season: Karleigh Osborne

“They are fighting relegation or promotion or to get in the playoffs, so are saying no even if those players are not currently in their 18.”

Less experienced players would be an option, but Ardley feels bringing in a youngster over the top of Sweeney would send a wrong message to the players and the Dons’ fans.

“We don’t want to bring a young player in when we have got an outstanding prospect of our own, he added.

“If I was a fan and we brought a youngster in who played in front of somebody we are trying to turn into a player I would not be happy.

“I would be saying why are we developing another player from another club when we can have our own?”

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