Assistant manager Karl Robinson says Dean Lewington has proved himself a true leader in recent weeks and reckons Dons fans should be proud to have him as their Club Captain.

Lewington has been in excellent form during the final few games of the League 1 season, providing a vitally-experienced head in a young Dons side missing several members of key personnel due to injury and suspension.

As the Dons' longest-serving player and among the most influential voices in the dressing room, the 26-year-old's leadership qualities have been invaluable since Paul Ince's announcement three weeks ago that he would be stepping down as manager at the end of the season.

And ahead of Saturday's final game of the season at Walsall, where Lewington is again expected to lead a very youthful Dons team, Robbo had nothing but praise for the flame-haired defender.

He told MK Dons Player: "Dean's led by example in the last few weeks and shown everyone what a good captain he is.

"There's never been a doubt that Dean is an exceptional talent, but people sometimes question his leadership qualities. But when adversity strikes, real people come out the other side and stand up to be counted.

Robbo and Lewie talk tactics in training.

"Against Wycombe he was the one still running, the one still trying to play football and the one still pushing the lads on. At Leeds he scored a goal and, while players were getting sent off around him, he was the one still there doing his job. The result wasn't good that day, but his performance was different class in my view.

"Against Brighton last Saturday, surrounded by young players and then the Alex Rae sending off at half-time, he took it to another level. He's shown what type of character he is in the last two or three weeks and I can't thank him enough.

"I don't normally like singling people out, but this Club should be proud to have players like Dean Lewington in an MK Dons shirt."