With no games to play until early January, the Dons academy travelled to Harlington on Friday to stay match sharp against a group of trialists trying to crack America.

Academy director and under-18 manager Mike Dove took a small squad down to QPR's training ground to fulfil a commitment made some time ago. First Point USA, a company giving former academy players in England the chance to earn scholarships in America, invited the Dons to play against some of their trialists. It was an opportunity for First Point to look at potential players and for the Dons to keep the wheels turning during their fixtureless spell.

After a convincing 4-0 win, the young Dons were spoken to by the representatives from First Point who gave them some advice about options open to them should they not make the grade in this country.

Mike said: "It was one of the reasons we wanted to go down for the game, we'd committed to it and it gave the lads the chance to listen to what First Point had to say. We're not just here to think about now, we have to consider the boys futures outside of football so it was good to hear from them."

The break will now give some of the players the chance to return home for some time over Christmas although they will, of course, have to be ready if called upon for first team action. It will also be a chance for them to work on the educational side of things including psychology, analysis coaching. Former Arsenal midfielder Paul Davis, now a PFA coaching representative, will be down over the festive break to assist some of the boys in obtaining their level two coaching badges.

Mike added: "The players might say they would rather still be playing but they need the break to deal with injuries and things. We'll sit down with them all for their six-month review session and decide what the way forward is. We'll have one-on-ones where we can let them know how we think they are doing but also where they can talk to us and give us an idea of their needs."