mkdons.com details the storylines to follow heading into Saturday's Sky Bet League Two clash with Newport County...
Promotion battle
Saturday sees two sides with promotion aspirations go head-to-head in their first-ever league meeting against one another.
MK Dons, currently top of the Sky Bet League Two table, are seven points clear in the automatic promotion places and could extend that gap into double figures with a victory at the weekend, and with results going in their favour elsewhere in the division.
Newport County, meanwhile, are in the thick of the play-off battle but remain within touching distance of the top three - they could move level on points with third-placed Colchester United on Saturday.
Points total record
A victory on Saturday would see MK Dons move onto 46 points after 22 games which would be their second-highest ever total at that stage of a season.
They would overtake their total of 44 in the 2014/15 season and would be just two points behind the tally of 48 in the 2007/08 campaign.
Heading to a fortress
MK Dons boast the best home record in Sky Bet League Two but, on Saturday, they take on an Exiles outfit who have also been in terrific form on their own patch this season.
The Welsh club have secured 23 points from their opening 10 league games at Rodney Parade, winning seven matches and drawing two, with only one defeat to their name. They’ve also scored an impressive 20 goals.
Paul Tisdale’s men should remain confident, though. They have the fourth-best away record in Sky Bet League Two with 16 points to their name from 10 road trips.
Injury situation
Plenty of eyes and ears will be on Paul Tisdale when he meets with the media on Thursday afternoon, with a number of injury updates expected to be given.
The Dons were without Chuks Aneke and Jordan Moore-Taylor for last weekend’s 2-0 win over Carlisle United while Lawson D’Ath and Rhys Healey both limped off during that game. Tis might provide an update on the conditions of all four players on Thursday.
On a positive note, Peter Pawlett and Osman Sow both made their respective returns from injury last Saturday. Whether or not they will be involved in a larger capacity this weekend remains to be seen.
More milestones for Gilbey
Alex Gilbey made his 50th MK Dons appearance in the Sky Bet League Two clash with Carlisle United but the midfielder will reach two more milestones if he features on Saturday.
The 24-year-old is one shy of his 150th league outing while his next game will be the 200th of his career. Fitting that he might accomplish those feats against one of his former sides in Newport County.
Gilbey might not be the only Dons player to celebrate a milestone this weekend as goalkeeper Lee Nicholls is set to make his 150th league appearance too while Robbie Simpson is on the brink of his 300th league game.
Agard climbing the Club’s scoring charts
Kieran Agard took his goal tally in league matches for MK Dons to 27 with his finish in the 2-0 victory over Carlisle United.
It saw him move level with Clive Platt for sixth place in the Club’s league goalscoring charts. The duo are behind Izale McLeod (62), Aaron Wilbraham (50), Dean Bowditch (37), Daniel Powell (37) and Sam Baldock (33).
The MK Dons number 14, who is ahead of Platt in the overall scoring charts, will be looking to make sixth place his own on Saturday with another goal.
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Tickets for Saturday's clash with Newport County at Rodney Parade are priced at £19 adults, £15 seniors, £13 young adults/students, £7 under-16s and £5 under-12s while under-6s go FREE. Newport County also offer a Family Ticket for four people at a price of £42.
Coach travel is available to book, with spaces priced at £20 Season Ticket holders and £21 all other supporters. Coaches will depart Stadium MK at 10am.
To book tickets/travel click HERE, visit the Box Office at Stadium MK or call 0333 200 5343. Tickets and travel will remain available to buy from the Club up until 5pm on Friday.
