Mo Eisa is set for an extended spell on the sidelines with the injury that forced him off against Sheffield Wednesday.
The striker was stretchered off midway through the second half following a non-contact injury which will put a premature end to what has been an impressive first season with MK Dons.
“It’s not a good one,” Head Coach Manning said in his pre-match press conference. “He’s going to be out for some time, unfortunately, so i’s important that we get around and support him and give him the best care so that we can get him back to full health.”
Eisa, who moved to Stadium MK from Peterborough United in the summer, has so far scored 12 goals in 41 appearances for the Dons and ranks third in total goal contributions this campaign with 14.
“He’s been brilliant, especially when you look at the progress he's made over the course of the season with his defensive responsibilities and is movement,” Manning said. “I feel he got better as the season's gone on, hence him being in a good vein of form.
“It’s a blow for us but that’s what happens in football. We have to suck up these moments of misfortune and it’s why you need the whole squad and people ready to step in.
“Even at the highest level of the game, there has been a big shift away from one player scoring 30-40 goals a season. If you are totally dependant on that and that person stops playing or scoring, then that’s a problem.
“What we’ve had, over the course of the season, is a number of people chip in, whether it be Twiney (Scott Twine), Troy (Parrott), or Harry Darling, even going back to Peter Kioso who contributed a few.
“It’s going to be really important that it continues for us and it’s also on a few others guys to start to chip in with a few as well, because if you can spread the goals throughout the teams that makes you make sure much more dangerous and adaptable, definitely.”
