Daly at the double for delighted Drax

Johnson ‘Drax’ Hippolyte confirmed the central midfielder  had agreed to join the Magpies and that the club will pay AFC Wimbledon a small fee for his services.

Daly, 23 made seven first team appearances for Queen’s Park Rangers before spending a loan spell with Raith Rovers in Scotland.

Daly signed for AFC Wimbledon in 2005, where he has made more than 100 appearances scoring 10 goals. He was voted the club’s players’ player of the year in 2006.
Drax was delighted to have attracted the player. He said: “He is a real talent and someone that could come straight into the side and make a real impact.
“I have been trying to bring in some cover for us at centre-half but when a player like this comes along you can’t turn him down.
“Dwane Lee has the ability to go back into defence if we need him to, we are not going to have that big a squad so it will take some reshuffling.”

It has been a busy week for the club after a host of new faces greeted Hippolyte at Saturday’s sodden pre-season training.

Among them were some familiar faces like Dwain Clarke, and some new names  like former Wycombe winger Lewis Cook.

Fresh from an punishing eight-mile squad run through a drenched Richmond Park Tuesday night Hippolyte was pleased with how things are progressing.

He said: “I was pleased with how it went on Saturday. I put the boys through it a bit, but that’s how it has to be.”

Hippolyte admits he did have reservations about the return of wayward winger Clarke but is willing to give the player a chance. He added: “If I’m  honest I wasn’t too sure about him coming along.
“But everyone deserves a second chance and like I said to him on the phone I have got four left wingers and may the best man win - it’s as
simple as that really.
“I have had a history of dealing with problem players in the past and as long as he shows the right attitude and shows the club and his team mates respect then we will give him a chance.
“He might last a few days, a few weeks or he might last the season. We’ll see.”

Another player who caught the eye at training was former Wycombe star Cook.
Sporting a bright red mohican is a sure fire way to get attention but Hippolyte feels he is a player that could make a difference.
He said: “Lewis Cook has been at Eastleigh and Lewes and he wanted to come down. He is another left winger, and he has done well.
“He could do a job for us but we will see it’s very competitive out there.”
Cook made more than 20 appearances for the Chairboys under Lawrie Sanchez before falling out of favour under Tony Adams. He has since had spells at Weymouth, Lewes and Eastleigh.

Hippolyte was also relishing the star of the new season following the announcement of the fixtures for the season ahead. The Magpies will begin a season at home for the first time in the 21st century.
He said: “I can’t wait to get going. Fisher at home will be a tough game, they have made a lot of changes over there recently.
“But, as I will say all season there are just no easy games in this league.
“The banter has already started if I’m honest. I have had some text messages betting me £100 here and there.
“I think Hayes are pleased that they have got us on
New Year’s Day to be honest because they know we will take a decent crowd up there.
“It won’t be the same as if it was just Yeading.
“I would have had a lump in my throat going back there but it is a totally different club now and they have got more Hayes players than Yeading now.”