MK Dons manager Roberto Di Matteo admitted his disappointment at the loss of captain Keith Andrews, but says the Club will survive without the talismanic midfielder.

Andrews, 27, completed his transfer to Blackburn Rovers on Thursday, linking up with former Dons boss Paul Ince and bringing to an end a summer of intense speculation.

The move represents a shot at the big time for the League 2 Footballer of the Year, who guided the Dons to a League 2 title and Johnstone's Paint Trophy Double last season.

But Di Matteo says, while the Dubliners boots will be hard to fill, his squad has enough about it for life to go on.

He said: "Keith's going to be a big loss for the team and the Club, he's done fantastically for MK.

"It's a bit of a shame but that was the player's wish, his dream, so we wish him good luck.

"As long as the deal is right for the Club we will never stand in a player's way of developing.

"Keith did very well last season, but it wasn't just him - the whole team did extraordinarily well.

"Football is a team sport so I guess we'll survive after Mr Andrews."

Andrews has been absent from the Dons team for the last two games with his future increasingly uncertain, and Di Matteo admits it was a position he'd rather not have been in.

He added: "It hasn't been an ideal situation but we have to make the best of it. It hasn't been an easy start to the season but we're still alive!

"It's early to say how much he's going to be missed here. The transfer window closes in a few days so I'll have a chat with the Chairman and we'll see what we can do."