AFC Wimbledon boss Johnnie Jackson has admitted he tried to land new signing Marcus Browne throughout his time at Charlton Athletic.
The 27-year-old has been a free agent since leaving Oxford following their promotion to League One on the finish of final season.
Versatile attacker Browne, who has additionally had a spell at Middlesbrough, has put pen to paper on a deal till the tip of the season at Plough Lane after coaching with the Dons in a view to touchdown a deal.
“He has been with us for the final week and a bit,” Jackson informed the South London Press.
“We have now added one other attacking choice – somebody who’s a bit totally different to what we now have received.
“He’s a inventive kind who can go previous individuals and has a watch for a purpose. We’re happy with that one, too.”
Browne missed the vast majority of final season, enjoying simply 15 instances in all competitions, after struggling two back-to-back hamstring accidents.
“We received him in to check out him,” stated Jackson.
“He’s a participant who I attempted to signal earlier than after I was at Charlton. When he went again to Oxford [in January 2022], I attempted to carry him in then.
“He’s a participant I’ve preferred for a very long time and I do know so much about him. He’s had his damage issues, however that has given us a chance to get him.
“He was coaching with Barnet earlier than coming to us, however he has satisfied us that he’s over these issues and he can assist us for the remainder of the season.
“We received the deal carried out fairly shortly. Whether or not we’ll do greater than that – I’m undecided.”
The Dons head into tomorrow’s League Two conflict at residence to Tranmere on the again of getting video games in opposition to Fleetwood, heavy snowfall, and Cheltenham, frozen pitch, each referred to as off.
“It’s been a little bit irritating,” stated Jackson.
“Particularly with the Fleetwood one. We travelled there the day earlier than and we had been type of taking a look at it, in all probability half figuring out what was going to occur anyway – however we needed to journey and do the precise factor.
“To get all the way in which up there and to have it referred to as off very first thing within the morning was a bit annoying.
“The one at residence was in all probability a bit extra irritating as a result of we thought the sport could be on.
“We educated on the pitch the day earlier than and every thing appeared okay. They put the covers on, but it surely received actually chilly in a single day.
“I absolutely anticipated that one to go forward. With the Fleetwood one, it might have been our third recreation in seven days, so bodily, it might have been a troublesome ask.
“We had been raring to go for Cheltenham, so it was tougher to take. The nice factor was not all people performed so we didn’t lose floor.”
The Dons initially signed ex-Cardiff midfielder Romaine Sawyers on a one-month deal in December to deal with damage issues within the centre of the pitch.
However the 33-year-old, who made 5 appearances throughout his time at Wimbledon and scored in his ultimate recreation – a 2-1 win over Newport County – left on the finish of his deal after getting a suggestion from League One aspect Bristol Rovers.
“It was nice having him,” stated Jackson.
“We had been bang up in opposition to it when it comes to accidents, so getting him and Sam Hutchinson in on the time was the precise factor to do and it positively helped us getting by that interval.
“He’s a very good participant, however he got here to us having not performed for a interval so we needed to handle him neatly throughout that month.
“We constructed him up and received him a begin in opposition to Gillingham. We used him for 45 in opposition to Newport, and his performances received higher with each recreation.
“He’s a extremely good participant and a extremely good lad. He was good to have round. We tried to maintain maintain of him and spoke about staying, however he had a suggestion from the league above.
“We revered that. He got here in and did every thing that was requested of him. It was vastly helpful for the each of us.”
Skilled Hutchinson, 35, was additionally signed on the identical deal as Sawyers and in addition made 5 appearances throughout his month contract.
However the former Studying and Sheffield Wednesday midfielder has prolonged his Plough Lane keep till the tip of the season.
“Sam’s been good off the pitch and on it too,” he stated.
“Additionally, his expertise as nicely and know-how has been nice.
“He’s versatile and may play in numerous positions. He’s a credit score to himself that, having not been in anyplace or play any video games, to be within the nick that he’s in is excellent – he’s an important skilled.
“From what he confirmed us in that month, it was a no brainer. To maintain maintain of him from now till the tip of the season makes excellent sense.”
