MK Dons manager Karl Robinson has told the Milton Keynes Citizen that George Baldock will not be allowed to leave the club on a permanent deal. He is currently impressing in a loan spell with Oxford United in League Two, but maintains he has a future with the Championship club.
The 22-year-old has enjoyed his temporary deal at Kassam Stadium since signing initially in February 2015, before linking up again before the start of this season. On Sunday he was part of the team which knocked Premier League side Swansea City out of the FA Cup. He has become a popular player for The U’s, but Robinson says he won’t entertain any permanent offers from Oxford or anyone,
“George is showing everyone he’s one of the best full backs outside the Championship.
What happens to him now will remain between the two boards, myself and Michael Appleton. But he’s definitely not being sold.”
With competition for places quite intense in the right back area in Robinson’s squad, it was decided that Baldock would be allowed to leave on loan to play regular football and continue his development elsewhere. Jordan Spence is the first-choice right back, but Lee Hodson impressed at left back in the FA Cup at the weekend. Robinson accepts that competition for places is healthy,
“Lee Hodson did very well on Saturday, but George Baldock looked fantastic at Oxford as well
I think Jordan has been outstanding this season, but if George and Lee are playing well, it brings out another 10 per cent in Jordan Spence.”
Baldock initially played as a winger when he broke into the MK Dons first-team setup a few seasons ago. However he was moulded into a right-back as Robinson felt as though he would be suited to this area of the field,
“We changed George’s position two and a half years ago. I just felt that was where he was going to play. There were elements of his game that just suited being a right back. He’s not the tallest, but he can physically compete.”
The older brother of Brighton striker Sam Baldock will remain at Oxford for the rest of the season and play a part in their promotion bid and hopefully a long run in the FA Cup.
