MK Dons' coaching staff revealed on Saturday that new signing Sam Nombe remains approximately two weeks behind the squad's target for match minutes after being given 45 minutes in the club's pre-season friendly at Grosvenor Vale.
Careful minutes over immediate results
The 27-year-old striker, who had only rejoined the club a day earlier, started the first half of the 2-0 defeat to Wealdstone. Assistant head coach Richie Barker — who led the team in that fixture while the squad was split for two simultaneous friendlies — said the decision to limit Nombe's involvement was driven by caution rather than form.
“He hasn’t played a minute in pre-season yet… 45 minutes was as far as we were willing to go, safely.”
Barker added that while Nombe showed positive attributes — notably his forward runs and work rate that gave the team a focal point — there were signs he was short of full conditioning. “He was blowing a bit at the end, which is understandable because he’s probably two weeks behind from a minutes point of view. We’ve got to catch him up as safely as possible,” Barker said.
Squad management and objectives
The squad was deliberately split for the day, with half facing Wealdstone and the other half travelling to face Premier League champions Arsenal at their training ground. Barker said the overriding aim was to get players substantial match minutes rather than to prioritise the final scoreline.
- Target: get around 20 players to 90 minutes in pre-season matches.
- Nombe: limited to 45 minutes due to recent arrival and lack of pre-season minutes.
- Overall approach: spread playing time to build fitness and protect players from overload.
Barker noted the coaches had mixed feelings about the Wealdstone match: there were “some frustrating things” alongside encouraging signs and, importantly, “the majority of the team come through unscathed.” He also pointed out that the two XIs were assembled to maximise individual minutes rather than to form a settled starting eleven.
Minutes and next steps
Nombe’s cameo featured a couple of half-chances and links with team-mates, but limitations in sharpness were visible — including being flagged offside in periods of promising play. Barker’s assessment makes clear that the club will now look to gradually increase the striker’s load so he reaches the level required for competitive matches.
| Player | Minutes played |
|---|---|
| Sam Nombe | 45 |
| Majority of squad (target) | 90 |
For supporters, the emphasis from the coaching team is clear: the club is prioritising a cautious build-up of hours on the pitch as the opening of the season approaches, rather than rushing new additions into full-length matches. How quickly Nombe closes the cited two-week gap will determine when he becomes a regular option for longer spells.
