mkdons.com details the storylines to follow heading into Saturday's Sky Bet League Two clash with Crewe Alexandra at Stadium MK...
Looking to respond
MK Dons will be out to put things right on Saturday following their disappointing loss to Bury last weekend.
Paul Tisdale’s men were beaten 4-3 at the Energy Check Stadium at Gigg Lane despite leading the Shakers 3-1 with 17 minutes left to play.
In games immediately following a league defeat this season, the Dons have a mixed record having won once, lost twice and drawn once.
The only time they’ve had the opportunity to respond at home, they came out on top - a 2-0 win over Morecambe following their 3-2 reverse at Stevenage.
Aiming for double-figure home wins
Paul Tisdale’s side can secure their 10th home league success of the season with a triumph at Stadium MK on Saturday.
The Dons have already bettered their total for home victories from each of the last three seasons and are well on course to match and then better their 16-win total from the 2014/15 promotion winning campaign, with 10 games still to play at Stadium MK.
A victory at the weekend would also see the Dons move level with Bury for the highest points return at home in the division.
Climbing back into the automatic promotion places
Courtesy of Mansfield Town’s 1-0 victory over Crawley Town in midweek, the Dons sit fourth in the Sky Bet League Two table heading into this weekend’s set of fixtures.
Tisdale’s team are one point adrift of the Stags having played a game less while they are two points off Bury, whom they hold two games in hand on.
The Dons will return to the automatic promotion places with a win over Crewe Alexandra, should Mansfield fail to take maximum points from their trip to Colchester United. They could also leapfrog Bury if they were to slip up away at Forest Green Rovers.
Lewie hits milestone ahead of 700 landmark
Dean Lewington could make his 600th league appearance for MK Dons on Saturday, should he be involved against Crewe Alexandra.
The captain, who made his first league appearance in the Club’s inaugural fixture against Barnsley in August 2004, would become only the 20th player in EFL history to play 600 league games for one club.
An appearance on Saturday would also see Lewington move on to 699 total appearances for MK Dons which means, all being well, he could reach 700 away at Grimsby Town in a week’s time.
Lewington might not be the only one to reach a milestone on Saturday - midfielder Conor McGrandles is one game shy of his 100th outing in league football while striker Chuks Aneke needs to find the net once to hit 50 league goals.
Will Russell Martin be involved?
MK Dons made Russell Martin their first signing of the January Transfer Window earlier this week and the defender will hope to be involved right away.
Former Norwich City captain and Scotland International Martin bolsters a defence which has seen Joe Walsh, Jordan Moore-Taylor, Mathieu Baudry and Callum Brittain all return to action in some form in recent weeks, but did lose George Williams to injury at Bury.
Tisdale will likely speak about his new recruit and the injury to Williams in his pre-match press conference, which will take place at 2pm on Thursday afternoon. Supporters will be able to keep up-to-date with quotes and videos on the Club’s Twitter page and on mkdons.com.
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Tickets for Saturday's Sky Bet League Two clash with Crewe Alexandra are priced at just £10 for adults and £1 for Under-18s.
Fans will also be able to enjoy a whole host of activities in the Marshall Arena Fan Zone prior to the fixture, with the fun starting at 12.30pm.
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.
