AFC Wimbledon defenders Antony Howard and Chris Hussey will miss the first pre-season training session.

The Dons preparations for the forthcoming season begins in earnest tomorrow but last seasons player of the year Howard and reserve team graduate Hussey will be absent from Saturday's training session.

Howard is recovering from an operation on his thumb and is expected to be out for two weeks while Hussey is suffering from a twisted ankle.

Howard and Hussey aside, Dons boss Terry Brown is expecting a full turn out for the start of pre-season.

The Dons boss has also admitted defeat in his quest to bring in a target man and centre-back before the start of his maiden pre-season campaign.

Brown secured the signing of right-back Will Salmon from Fleet Town yesterday and hoped he would have a centre-forward and defender on board by tomorrow.

However, he has admitted he is still in talks with Dagenham & Redbridge defender Jake Leberl with more discussions planned for next week - but has revealed he is still no closer to signing the illusive target man.

"We're still no nearer at all to finding this target man - and we've had no joy on the centre-back front as of yet.

"I've spoken to and will be speaking to Jake Leberl again."