Dons manager Paul Ince hopes skipper Dean Lewington and midfielder Stephen Gleeson can shake off illness in time to be available for Saturday's League 1 trip to Swindon.

The influential pair have missed the first two games of the season after falling ill last week, including Tuesday night's Carling Cup defeat to the Robins.

But having resumed full training today (Thursday) left-back Lewington and lynchpin Gleeson could be in contention for the trip to the County Ground.

Ince said: "This is the first day they've been back, they've been out for seven or eight days, so it's a case of seeing how they feel.

"It's a big ask for them so we'll have to monitor their fitness, have a chat with them and take it from there."

Striker Jabo Ibehre is another who is close to a first team return after a hamstring injury, but Ince continues to be without Sean O'Hanlon (knee), Aaron Wilbraham (ankle), Sam Baldock (groin), Peter Leven (groin) and Danny Swailes (Achilles).

Stephen Gleeson pursues Luke Chadwick in training.

It's a casualty list that has severely hampered the Dons' start to the season and one Ince is all too aware of.

"We're all aware that we're down to the bare bones, those that are coming back are coming in dribs and drabs and we've still got four or five major players, who would have been in my first eleven, still out.

"Whoever's available, not injured and not ill will be in with a chance of being involved on Saturday!"

Away tickets for Saturday's game at Swindon are available now from the MK Dons Online Ticket Service and the MK Dons Box Office.

Click here for further information.