Zeli Ismail MK Dons loan timing says Stale Solbakken

Much-hyped former England Under-16 international Ismail yesterday joined MK Dons on loan until January.

With the first team struggling, some fans wanted to see the highly-talented 18-year-old blooded in the Championship after his cameo debut in the Capital One Cup tie against Chelsea in September.

Instead, Ismail will get his chance in League One and Solbakken believes that is right for his development.

"He's trained with us a bit and played for the reserves but he's been a bit up and down in the games," said Solbakken.

"Maybe it's time now for him to play – I felt it, he felt it and his agent felt it, so the club thought he should go out for two or three months.

"Hopefully it will bring him on as a player. Now it's a question of whether he can make one step up in terms of his development."

Meanwhile, Pennant has been warned to deliver the goods soon.

The 29-year-old Stoke winger had played six games before today's visit of Nottingham Forest without making a big impression, although he was unlucky to be sacrificed at Watford last week when Christophe Berra was sent off.

"He was a bit hard-done- by but I spoke to Jermaine before the last match and he's had his games now to make sure his match fitness should be there," said Solbakken. "He's played in six games – that should be enough to make sure he can deliver close to his best."

Solbakken also said the door wasn't shut on Leigh Griffiths, who had scored 13 goals in 15 games on loan at Hibernian before today.

"We're watching him closely because he's scoring goals," said the boss.