Terry Brown admits he regrets not keeping hold of forward Robin Shroot after the former AFC Wimbledon man appeared on the verge of signing a contract with Championship big-boys Birmingham City.

Shroot is at St Andrews on a week’s trial, and was set to play alongside Kevin Phillips in a specially arranged friendly on Tuesday afternoon.

And Brown admitted the departure of Shroot, who quit Kingsmeadow in the summer and ended up at Harrow Borough, was still a source of frustration.

Brown said: “We desperately wanted to keep him and we made him what we thought was a very good offer.

“But he had a couple of people working on his behalf, and to be honest I always felt they wanted him out of the club so that they could tout him about.

“I don’t think that playing one friendly will tell Birmingham if he’s good enough for the Championship, but the boy is more than capable of playing in the Football League, and is a very talented young man.

“With a bit of luck he can make a good career for himself, and I wish him all the best.”

The Dons boss also has to make a contract decision on midfield playmaker Dwane Lee, who remains on non-contract terms at the club.

And Brown admitted he was swaying towards offering the former Barnet man a deal.

He added: “He has done very well for us up to now.

“There is no rush as he has no ties to any other clubs, but I will be looking to get things tied up early in the New Year.

“He still needs to work on his fitness, and he has been a bit ill recently, but his performances have certainly helped his cause.”