AFC Wimbledon have simple Hull City transfer decision to make | OneFootball

Having not had the desired impact on loan so far this season, the Dons could look to cancel James Furlong's loan

James Furlong's loan to AFC Wimbledon has not exactly gone to plan, with the young Irishman having been a not-so-frequent appearance maker in yellow and blue.

Having started the season off as the likely first-choice left-sided full-back, the 22-year-old soon saw his place in the team taken by James Tilley, and since then, he has struggled to mount a comeback into the team.

So, with the January transfer window now open and the Dons looking at every possible way to maximise their budget, this slightly failed loan deal could soon be cut short.

James Furlong has failed to live up to previous hype

When the Irish youth international arrived at Plough Lane, the announcement on social media was met with some clamour from Hull City fans about how this move was perfect for him to rebuild his rather disrupted career to date.

Furlong had arrived at Brighton under the tenure of Graham Potter, during a time in which the likes of Victor Gyokeres, Alexis Mac Allister, and Ben White were all part of the youthful revolution at the club, so clearly there was belief that he had the potential to one-day play Premier League football for the Seagulls.

However, slow progress meant that he never really reached any heights at Brighton, and he was moved on to Hull in 2023, with the Tigers paying an undisclosed fee for the youngster. Having picked up an injury soon after signing, they would utilise him only once though, before a knee injury curtailed his 23/24 season.

So to try and renew some of the potential that was clearly seen in him all those years prior, when the opportunity for a loan spell to help develop at Wimbledon was presented, Furlong and Hull clearly leaped at it. However, he has not exactly fared brilliantly at the Dons.

After some professional, but average performances to kick off the season in the league campaign, the Irishman would see winger James Tilley step into his role at left wing-back against Premier League, Ipswich Town, for the Dons' Carabao Cup Round Two tie.

And the former Crawley Town man performed admirably, keeping the likes of Jack Clarke and Omari Hutchinson very quiet all game.

This has meant that Furlong has been limited to only brief appearances since, whether they be off the bench in games where manager Johnnie Jackson has felt as though his fresh legs would help out the team, or when the formation has switched to a flat back four, requiring his ability as an out-and-out left back, instead James Tilley's superior ability as a wing-back.

But having not featured in the team, in meaningful competition, since the FA Cup upset against Dagenham and Redbridge back at the end of November, it is clear to see that he has not really won over Jackson, and has not shown the talent that many have seen in him previously.

Cancelling James Furlong's loan will allow for strengthening elsewhere at Wimbledon

With the Dons being a cash-strapped club, due to the nature of being fan-owned and funded, as well as owing a fair amount of debt due to the move to New Plough Lane, it does mean that funds available for transfers are few and far between.

It also means that each deal and player must really be worthwhile if they are to stay around at the club, even if they are only on loan.

Having briefly assessed Furlong's low-impact loan spell so far, it is fair to say that Wimbledon could do with cancelling his loan deal and sending him back to Hull.

By doing so, the club would potentially save on wages currently being spent on the bit-part player, depending on how much they are covering, as well as open up another loan spot to be used on a player of better or different abilities.

The Dons do need reinforcement elsewhere in the team as longer-term injuries have been rife in the squad, and the club are looking to keep up their promotion push following a great first half of the season. So using the funds and space opened up by the departure of Furlong would certainly help with that.

However, if the South West London club were to return Furlong to his parent club, Hull, they would be leaving themselves a player short in the left wing-back spot. Having just discussed the luck that the club are having with injuries at present, Jackson probably will not want to leave his fragile squad lacking in squad depth.

There are the likes of Myles Hippolyte and Aron Sasu, who are both skilled enough to play on the left-hand side, but do lack the defensive abilities that Tilley has developed well, and Furlong already possesses. They have also proved better, and more useful in positions elsewhere on the pitch.

Jackson will need to weigh up his priorities but Wimbledon would likely benefit from sending Furlong back and using the funds freed up to strengthen elsewhere.