MK Dons will be hoping to stretch the opposition this season after new boss Roberto Di Matteo ordered the stadiummk pitch to be widened.

Di Matteo met with head groundsman Joe Aylett last week to discuss what kind of surface he'd like for the Dons' League 1 challenge this term.

His decision will be music to the ears to the likes of Dons flyers Mark Wright and Jemal Johnson, who will now have an extra yard of space to raid past visiting full-backs.

And Joe says the type of pitch Di Matteo has asked for gives a good indication as to how the team will play during his reign.

Joe told mkdons.com: "I had a chat with the Gaffer last week and he wants to play a nice, wide game. I believe he wants to get the boys really fit and that extra yard either side will make a difference.

"Our pitch was quite a wide pitch as it was at 68 metres, now we're widening it to 70 metres so we should be in for some expansive, attacking football.

"I believe we're going to be playing a similar passing game to last season which means it will have to be a nice short pitch, watered before the game and at half-time.

As for most groundsmen around the country, there's been no respite for Joe this summer. No sooner had last season finished, than preparations for next season commenced and fans will see the impressive results against Reading on Saturday.

The stadiummk pitch is to be widened by two metres this season.

He said: "The renovation was quite drastic this summer, the pitch was stripped out completely so there's not a blade of grass on there from last season.

"By doing that you get a consistently good playing surface week in and week out.

"It's coming up for two years that we've been taking care of the pitch and it's been a great learning experience for us. It goes through fertiliser and water much quicker than the pitch at the Hockey Stadium used to.

"We came second in Pitch of the Year for League 2 last season, after learning a bit more hopefully we'll come first this year!"