Euell earns praise after poor start

Wimbledon coach Stewart Robson today admitted that striker Jason Euell is showing the kind of form which could ultimately lead to his departure from the club.

Euell has been on the transfer list since the summer but his less than enthusiastic attitude at the beginning of the season is one of the reasons why the Premiership's top clubs have yet to make a move for the £6 million-rated hitman.

But after scoring 14 goals so far this season, the scouts will once again be heading to Meadow Lane tonight where Wimbledon hope to secure a money-spinning FA Cup fourth-round tie against Middlesbrough by overcoming Second Division Notts County.

Last week's replay was abandoned after 51 minutes because of fog with the score at 1-1 but Robson singled out Euell for particular praise as the two sides prepared to try again this evening.

Robson said: "Jason will tell you that I was probably his worst critic in the first few weeks of the season. He has realised what he has got to do in terms of training and working hard and doing it on the pitch. He has been outstanding for us."

Meanwhile, contract talks remain on-going with Dons midfielder Neil Ardley. He has recently been linked with a move to Aston Villa as his current deal expires in the summer.

Ardley is the only real injury doubt tonight. He picked-up a dead leg in the 2-1 defeat at Portsmouth but trained yesterday.

Manager Terry Burton will include striker John Hartson and winger Gareth Ainsworth in his squad. Ainsworth, dogged by injury since arriving at the club, played his first full game in almost two years against Pompey.