AFC Wimbledon boss Neal Ardley says he is not lining up a move for Jake Goodman.

The central defender joined the Dons on loan from Millwall in December, making 13 appearances, before returning to the Den at the season’s end.

The 21-year-old has since been released by the League One club – setting the rumour mill turning about a possible permanent move to the Cherry Red Records stadium.

However, Ardley has been clocking up the miles on the motorway looking for better options, and asked if he was interested in Goodman, he said: “No. I had a chat with Jake, and he did really well for us when he first came to us, however, after he got back from his broken toe he struggled a bit more.

Contract clause means Akinfenwa could be tempted overseas

“I have to look at what does promotion look like and try to fathom out the profile of the defenders we need for it, and we’re trying hard on that.

“We need to set our targets as high as we can and not look to save a bit of money on a player.

“That is not easy, because when you are going after players who are potentially the better ones in this league, then there are a lot of clubs after them.

“I have already met five to six people, I am driving up and down the motorway, but it has to be done.”

Another defender unlikely to grace the CRRS pitch again is Adedeji Oshilaja, who has returned to Cardiff City after his loan spell came to an end.

Your Local Guardian:

Cardiff City chance: Adedeji Oshilaja, right, is unlikely to return to AFC Wimbledon

Oshilaja was an ever-present in the second half of last season – making his debut on January 10 and going on to make 23 appearances.

Ardley said: “It’s a difficult one. If we were to get him, it would be right at the last knockings before the first game of the season.

“As a manager, do I wait and wait and not sign a centre half in the hopes that Deji is available and then be left short, and miss out on people?

“Or do I have a real good go for some good players and if it doesn’t work out and Deji is available, then great? I cannot plan for just in case.”

He added: “I believe Deji will get a chance in pre-season at Cardiff, but we won’t know what his future at Cardiff is until the end of pre-season.”