New signing Chris Long starts up-front for MK Dons this afternoon while winger Dean Bowditch, who has been out all season with a hip injury, is on the bench.
Long, who joined the Dons on a one-month’s loan from Everton earlier this week, will lead the line up-front in what will be his first senior appearance. Long will operate ahead of an attacking trio of Ben Reeves, Dele Alli and Samir Carruthers.
Elsewhere, George Baldock comes into the side to replace the injured Lee Hodson, who failed a late fitness test. Hodson was forced off during last weekend’s FA Cup with Budweiser tie with Wigan Athletic and has not returned to fitness in time for this afternoon’s game.
The big surprise, however, comes on the substitutes bench, with Bowditch named in the matchday squad for the first time this season. Bowditch has been struggling with a hip injury since the beginning of the season but will take up a place among the seven replacements this afternoon.
Striker Izale McLeod also returns to squad following a thigh strain which saw his loan spell at Northampton Town cut short last month.
MK Dons (4-2-3-1): Martin; Baldock, Kay, Williams, Lewington (c); Potter, Gleeson; Reeves, Alli, Carruthers; Long.
Subs: McLoughlin (GK), Bowditch, Chadwick, Smith, McLeod, Powell, Galloway.
Shrewsbury Town: Weale, Jacobson, Winfield, McAllister, Taylor, Wildig, Mkandawire (c), Goldson, Woods, Eaves, Schmeltz.
Subs: Anyon (GK), Bradshaw, McQuade, Marsden, Hall, Parry, Smith.
