MK Dons play their final game before Christmas this Saturday as they welcome Colchester United to Stadium MK.
Come Saturday, it will have been a fortnight since MK Dons last played a competitive game, due to last Saturday's postponment at Newport County.
Dons fans may feel like they've not seen much of their side during the month of December - and they'd be right. Saturday's encounter will be just the second game of the month of festivities for Paul Tisdale's men.
They welcome fellow promotion hopefuls Colchester United to MK1 this weekend.
Kick-off this Saturday is at 3.00pm.
Missing out on the play-offs in each of their two seasons back in the fourth tier, Colchester United began the current campaign with the same man in charge, former Tranmere and Ipswich central defender John McGreal, and with more or less the same starting eleven as that which finished last term in mid-table, but with a trio of significant additions in the form of midfielder Harry Pell, striker Luke Norris, both costing the U's undisclosed fees, and former Premier Leaguer Frank Nouble.
Striker Norris joined Colchester from Swindon Town and currently has seven Sky Bet League Two goals and three assists to his name. He's joined alongside the highly rated Sammie Szmodcis who also has netted seven times in the league this campaign.
Colchester currently occupy third place in the division and sit just five points behind MK Dons.
It's been almost two weeks since MK Dons were in action due to last Saturday's clash with Newport County being postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.
The Dons last took to the field in early December when second-half goals from Jordan Houghton and Kieran Agard secured a 2-0 win over Carlisle United.
Colchester United's last Sky Bet League Two fixture also came against Carlisle United, with the Essex-outfit losing 4-0.
Goals from Hallam Hope, Jerry Yates, Jamie Devitt and Danny Grainger secured the win for Carlisle.
MK Dons Manager Paul Tisdale: "We cannot underestimate any team, especially not one third in the league. We thought they were a good side last year, but they've improved again this year - they will want to win as much as we do.
Colchester United Manager John McGreal: "It’s a big game against a big club who have done particularly well of late. Paul (Tisdale) has done a terrific job – he’s made a nice steady start and they’ve hit the floor running, especially at home."
It’s going to be a tough game against a team who have been near the top of the league for a few months. But it’s a nice game for us to come back into after what happened last week."
MK Dons manager Paul Tisdale was quizzed about the fitness of Chuks Aneke during his pre-match press conference.
He said, "He's running. He has missed three weeks of training. There's a big step between someone running and playing. Hopefully, he will be back sometime over the Christmas period."
Both Lawson D'Ath and Rhys Healey were named in the Matchday squad before last Saturday's clash with Newport County was postponed. Meanwhile, Tisdale will also assess the fitness of Jordan Moore-Taylor ahead of the clash at Stadium MK.
Colchester's Luke Norris has recovered from his injury quicker than expected and has featured from the bench in the last two games.
Christopher Sarginson will referee this Saturday's clash at Stadium MK - it'll be his 25th game of the season so far.
Mr. Sarginson has so far issued 69 bookings and has sent off two players. The Staffordshire-based official last oversaw a Dons clash during their 1-0 defeat to Walsall in February 2018.
His assistant referees this Saturday are Robert Atkin and Stuart Butler the fourth official is Rob Smith.
Dons wins: 12
Dons wins at home: 6
Last Dons win: 1-0, 17 Feb 2015 (JobServe Stadium)
Biggest Dons win: 6-0, 29 Nov 2014 (Stadium MK)
Draws: 4
Draws at home: 4
Last Draw: 0-0, 1 Jan 2014 (Stadium MK)
Colchester wins: 4
Colchester away wins: 1
Last Colchester win: 3-1, 26 Nov 2013 (JobServe Stadium)
Biggest Colchester win: 3-1, 26 Nov 2013 (JobServe Stadium)
Result
Dons win: 19/20
Draw: 13/5
Colchester United win: 10/3
Tickets for Saturday's clash with Colchester United are priced from £22 adults, £17 over-65s and £7 under-18s while under-12s go FREE with a Young Dons members.
Supporters can upgrade their seat to East Centre for just £5 more while an upgrade to clubRed is available for a £10 premium.
To book tickets click HERE, visit the Box Office/cash-only ticket booths or call 0333 200 5343. Tickets will be available to buy right up until kick-off.
Alternatively, iFollow MK Dons subscribers can listen to live commentary of this game – click HERE to sign up for as little as £4.49 for a month.
Supporters can also stay in touch with the action via mkdons.com’s Match Centre, which can be accessed by visiting the home page from 2pm.
There will also be full coverage on the Club’s social media channels – Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat!
A full match report will be available to view on mkdons.com straight after the final whistle along with full reaction from Paul Tisdale and a player. Highlights will be available to view from midnight.
