You Whelan Alright?

Noel Whelan was fined yesterday for missing training last week in a move that the club will desperately hope curb the Dons striker's alleged wayward streak. The ex-Leeds marksman, who has scored 1 goal in two-and-a-half games for the Reds, must be aware that rumours and stories are flying round the fans' pubs and clubs as to his unreliability and liking for a party.

A spokesman for the club told RedWeb, "Noel was fined for missing training. The manager has a strict code of discipline and the player has been told what he did was unacceptable and warned as to his future behaviour."

Whelan added, "I failed to report for training last Thursday and was disciplined by the manager. I have apologised to him and the Club and as far as both parties are concerned, that is the end of the matter. My only concern right now is getting the injury to my calf sorted out and being back in the first team."

It is too early for the fans to be overly worried, but this never stops us from a wee bit of concern when we have Hignett, Bernard, D'Jaffo and the likes in very recent memory. This will all be forgotten if Noel can return from injury, put in the good performances we witnessed at the start of the season, and become a regular goalscorer for the Dons this season. It cannot come too soon.