Tonbridge Angels manager Jay Saunders says recalled AFC Wimbledon defender Ethan Sutcliffe could still return to Longmead

Jay Saunders is hopeful Tonbridge haven’t seen the last of defender Ethan Sutcliffe.

Sutcliffe was recalled by AFC Wimbledon this week and named on the bench for their 2-0 EFL Trophy win over Oxford on Tuesday night.

The centre-half had been due to spend the rest of the season with Angels and could yet return.

“Ethan’s been brilliant for us,” said boss Saunders.

“Wimbledon said they didn’t want to call him back because he’s done so well here and we’ve been brilliant for him, but it’s a case where they needed to because of injuries.

“He’s gone back but I’m hoping we can reassess it at some point.

“It might be he goes back and does really well and stays there but they’ve kind of said we’ve got first option if he goes back out on loan.”

Saunders is in no rush to sign a replacement with Jamie Fielding and Kodi Lyons-Foster back from injury and Tom Parkinson nearing fitness.

He has the option to recall Joe Tyrie from Sittingbourne but doesn’t think that would be fair on the 20-year-old.

“Joe’s in a really good place,” said Saunders.

“He’s playing every week in a promotion chase and I kind of feel he needs that.

“If I brought him back, do I see him as a starter every week?

“I’d probably say I’ve got a couple ahead of him at the moment.

“I felt that when Ethan came in, that he was just ahead of Joe, and Joe understood that.

“When the time’s right he’ll have a big part to play but I’m not going to call him back unless he’s going to start every week and at the moment I’ve got a couple ahead of him just for their experience really and how well they’ve done this season.”

Tonbridge beat Weymouth 2-1 at home last weekend.

Jordan Greenidge gave them a half-time lead, with Lyons-Foster scoring the winner as Tonbridge bounced back from