AFC Wimbledon boss Neal Ardley wants to replace the departed Ryan Sweeney, but is having difficulty finding his man.

Sweeney, 19, joined Premier League Stoke City on a three-year deal last week in a move that leaves the Dons boss with five fit defenders.

And defence is causing Ardley a headache with set pieces costing the Dons a place in the next round of the EFL Cup following a 3-2 defeat at Peterborough Town on Tuesday.

It was also key in an opening day League One defeat at Walsall on Saturday.

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He said: “It’s a great move for Ryan – we had to do the right thing for the player and the club.

“Ryan may not have got the game time here this season with Darius [Charles] and Paul [Robinson] in the squad, and that could devalue him if we kept him.

“We had to think of everything – Ryan is one of our homegrown players and we wanted to make sure it was right.

“Erik [Samuelson] struck a deal that is good for Ryan, and if he’s successful, it is good for the club too.”

Ardley added: “It leaves us a little short at the back and we’re looking to bring someone in.

“It is a fine balancing act – if we get someone on loan, their club want them to be playing and we cannot guarantee that, and if it’s a player out of contract, then they may not have had the pre-season.

“It is not easy to find the right man two days into the season.”