David Wheeler has reunited with Paul Tisdale by signing on loan with MK Dons from Championship side Queens Park Rangers. The 28-year-old spent four years with Exeter City, where Tisdale was the manager before arriving at the Dons in the summer, between 2013 and 2017.
Wheeler had spent the first part of this season on loan at League One leaders Portsmouth, but the winger’s time at Fratton Park was cut short when QPR recalled him on Thursday.
MK Dons Sign David Wheeler From QPR
Earlier Career
Wheeler started his career in non-league with Lewes, having been born in nearby Brighton. He made his debut against Torquay United in what is today the National League and stayed there upon their relegation to what is now the National League South. Overall, he made 94 appearances for the club and scored 12 goals before moving to Staines Town.
Here, he played fewer games (74) but amassed a far more impressive goals total of 23, which was enough to catch the eye of Football League side Exeter City.
After impressing in a trial, he signed for the Grecians in 2013, making his professional debut a day after the deal went through in a win against Bristol Rovers. His first goal came a few months later in a draw with Bury.
He became a key part of the Exeter team, helping them on their way to the League 2 play-off final in 2017 with 13 league goals and 20 in all competitions, a respectable return for a winger.
QPR then came calling and he joined the West London club for an undisclosed fee on a three-year deal, scoring his first goal in a 3-2 defeat to Middlesbrough. However, that would remain his only goal and his appearances would only total nine before being loaned out to Portsmouth for the 2018/19 season.
Where Will He Fit In?
Wheeler will likely be part of the front three along with Kieran Agard and Chuks Aneke, providing he is a starter. Rhys Healey held the position earlier in the season, and the Dons are still working on a move to re-sign the Cardiff City man on another loan deal.
Therefore, it’s unclear yet what Wheeler’s role will be, as Healey would be the most likely to start should a new deal materialise.
If that is to be the case, though, Wheeler provides excellent back-up, something that has been missing so far with Lawson D’ath’s unimpressive performances and the injuries to Peter Pawlett and Osman Sow.
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