Robbie Neilson is expecting a good contest on Saturday when his MK Dons side visit Fratton Park to take on Portsmouth.
The men from MK1 travel to the south coast looking to return to winning ways and climb back into the top half of the Sky Bet League One table by recording a second successive away victory.
“It will be a good one,” Neilson said in his pre-match press conference. “They’ll have a great crowd there, there will be a good surface and we’ll be playing against a good team so hopefully it will be an enjoyable game.
“They have been similar to us in that they have been stop-start due to injuries. (Kenny Jackett) has got great experience and he’s trying to put a team together to get out of this league – I’m sure they’ll get themselves there eventually.”
He added: “We’ve got three games in a week and if we can pick up maximum points from there then we’ll be in a good position.”
Here’s what else we learnt from Neilson’s pre-match press conference...
Aaron Tshibola’s form...
“We’ve brought him here to try and progress him. Aaron’s come in, he’s had some good games and he’s had some difficult games – Saturday’s game was a very difficult one for him. A lot of people may forget he’s only 22 years old and he’s not played a lot of games in his career. Yes, he had a big move when he was younger but that’s got nothing to do with us. It’s about what he’s doing here now.
“We have to try and support him and progress him so that hopefully when he leaves Milton Keynes Dons he’s a better player than when he came. Like all the players who are here, they aren’t the finished article and our job is to help them become better."
Injury update...
“He trained with us (on Wednesday) and he’ll do a full session (on Thursday). We’ve almost got a full squad with us now. Peter Pawlett has been stepping up his rehabilitation as well."2
Golbourne’s return a boost...
“He’s got real quality and the players have taken to him as well. He’s an experienced player and is great in the dressing room. We’ll obviously miss a player of his quality whenever he’s not involved.”
Callum Brittain’s England recognition...
“I was delighted with him. He’s progressed a lot in the last six months and those good performances have been recognised.
“He’s an example for the kids in the Academy. Some players who come into the first team, think that’s it and they’ve made it. Callum’s had to fight to all the way along and he still has to fight because his standards have got to be high if he wants to keep his position.
“He’s still young and he’s still got a long way to go. He has to make sure he does it consistently throughout the season.”
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Tickets for Saturday's clash at Portsmouth can be bought at Fratton Park, cash only, ahead of kick-off - prices are £25 adults, £19 seniors, £15 under-23s while under-18s can attend for £10 if unaccompanied by an adult/senior or £5 if they are accompanied.
