Ardley hails ‘fitter and stronger’ Parrett

AFC Wimbledon boss Neal Ardley praised Dean Parrett following the 3-1 victory at Oxford United.

Parrett, 24, was regarded as a top prospect when he was signed by Tottenham from QPR as a 15-year-old.

He did not make a league appearance for Spurs, who released him in 2013, and has since struggled to make a regular impact at a number of lower-division clubs.

But Parrett, signed by the Dons during the summer, has caught the eye this season and impressed in Sunday’s win.

“Dean is more natural going forward. He can pick a pass, he is two-footed, and his drive on the ball is probably quicker than without it,” Ardley told the club website.

“He has a lot of natural quality. We want to work on his defensive qualities as well, but he complements the other midfielders.

“We are delighted with how Dean has picked up. He looks fitter and stronger.”

The win against Oxford took Ardley’s side up to 10th in the League One table – two places above MK Dons, who lost 1-0 at home to Port Vale.

It is the first time Wimbledon have been above MK Dons since being formed as a result of the club’s controversial relocation from south London in 2002.