Assistant manager Karl Robinson has challenged MK Dons to show they belong in the League 1 play-offs when they host rivals Swindon on Tuesday night (kick-off 7.45pm).

Paul Ince's men play the high-flying Robins at stadiummk knowing a victory is vital to keep their outside hopes of a top-six place alive.

With just 12 games remaining in the campaign, Robbo says the test provided by former Dons boss Danny Wilson and his County Ground outfit will unveil a lot about MK's play-off credentials.

But he says it's a challenge the players must embrace as they to aim to draw themselves within four points of sixth-placed Millwall.

Karl told MK Dons Player: "It's a tough test, but it's one we have to embrace. If you want to be in the upper echelons of this league, competing for the play-offs and promotion, you've got to embrace the big games and make sure you grab it with both hands.

"The players that take to the pitch on Tuesday have a chance to make a name for themselves - it's a massive game, as they all are now until the end of the season.

"We've got to enjoy it, but we've got to make sure we turn up on the day and, if we do that, I'm sure we'll get the result we deserve."

Ince's side head into the game on the back of a solid 1-0 win over Leyton Orient - a result achieved in the absence of injured duo Sam Baldock and Stephen Gleeson, while Andros Townsend was also missing having been recalled to parent club Tottenham.

But with Mathias Doumbe and Sean O'Hanlon back in contention for the Dons' defence, Karl says the Dons' form could just be starting to turn.

He said: "Saturday's result was very positive and it was a good solid performance as well, which stands us in good stead for forthcoming games. We looked strong, we looked like we could retain possession and win a lot of second balls.

Mark Randall puts in a challenge against Leyton Orient

"Even though the performances have been good, when you're coming off the back of a couple of bad results you're just looking for that vital win and hopefully that will springboard us on to a few more.

"Touch wood, but we're getting a few important players back at the right time, although we did lose Andros last week. But all in all it's slowly coming together and the players the manager laid down to the challenge to on Saturday did just that.

"It's important that the players now hold it together until the end of the season because it will be an exciting run-in if we can get the results we're looking for over the next month."

Swindon head to the New City on the back of a shock 4-0 home defeat to Bristol Rovers on Saturday - the Robins' first defeat in 14 league games.

And having seen Wilson's side reap the benefits of being a team in-form, Karl says he'll be interested to see how they react to such a heavy setback.

Swindon will be hoping to recover from Saturday's 4-0 home defeat to Bristol Rovers.

He said: "We watched them play Stockport earlier in the season and Stockport were much the better side for long periods until Swindon got a penalty and won the game 1-0. When you're in good form, that's how things go for you.

"On Saturday, everything Bristol Rovers hit went in so it worked the other way for them. I don't know if it's a good thing or a bad thing, because they're coming off the back of a bad result and will want to get back on track as soon as possible.

"They've got (Charlie) Austin and (Billy) Paynter up front, (Vincent) Pericard coming in, they've got (Jonathan) Douglas in midfield, so we know they're a very good side. There's a lot of strength in depth there.

"With that kind of quality, they've been able to maintain a settled side for the majority of the season and that makes a massive difference at this level."

Tickets for Tuesday night's game are on sale from the MK Dons Online Ticket Service, over the phone on 01908 622900, from the MK Dons Box Office at stadiummk and the Box Office on Crown Walk at thecentre:mk.