Lee explains impact Dobson's exit will have on January plans
Lee Johnson says George Dobson's loan move to AFC Wimbledon will make a small difference to his ability to bring players in between now and the end of the window.
Johnson is hoping to bring in a left-back and a forward player before the end of the month, but with the club operating near the limit of their salary cap restrictions, he is focusing on loan deals. Under-21 players are exempt from the cap.
Nevertheless, he said previous to Dobson's departure that he had a 'small amount of wiggle room', and Dobson's move will help that to a small degree.
It does also free up another place on the squad list to bring in a player over the age of 21.
Johnson says AFC Wimbledon are a good club for Dobson, and said he expected him to make a difference in their battle to beat the League One drop.
"It does free up a little bit under the salary cap," Johnson said.
"I can’t go into the details, obviously, but there was a contribution [from AFC Wimbledon] and I think about 70 percent of that contribution goes back into the salary cap kitty.
"George is still our player. I think Wimbledon are a good club for him, they play good football, and I think he will go down and make a difference for them."
Johnson confirmed that
the arrival of Carl Winchester earlier in the window means that he will not seek a direct replacement for Dobson.
The head coach also has another option returning in that position, with Luke O'Nien replacing Josh Scowen in the closing minutes of the narrow 1-0 win over Shrewsbury Town.
Johnson has yet to make a decision over whether O'Nien will continue at right-back, and is considering him giving him a midfield role.
"We’ve brought Carl in [so we don't need to replace George].
"I thought Carl did well when he came on, the extra experience, the extra assuredness, the extra pass when we needed it.
"It’s important that we keep the balance between having a strong enough squad and keeping everybody motivated and hungry to play."
O'Nien's return was one of the main positives from Saturday's win for Johnson, having not been able to make a single appearance in his tenure thus far due to a dislocated shoulder.
O'Nien still can't take throw-ins due to the injury, which is one of the reasons he is being viewed primarily as a midfielder in the short term.
"I think he’s overcome that hurdle – apart from when he took a throw-in, when it looked like someone had jolted him with an electric shock," Johnson said.
"He’s an interesting character isn’t he, and I have enjoyed his personality.
"At times he is like a wasp in a vase but it is all part of him wanting to do well and be the best he can be, and put the effort in to make that happen.
"Hopefully, he came through today unscathed and will be ready to go to Ipswich, along with maybe one or two other players who have been out injured."