MK Dons will look to claim back-to-back league success when they face Doncaster Rovers at Stadium MK.
Graham Alexander’s men have accumulated a total of 9 points from a possible 12 so far, which has been gathered through three wins out of the starting four fixtures.
Dons currently hold the second-joint most goals scored within the league (10) following their recent 3-2 victory over Colchester United.
The Stadium MK side have only seen Gillingham produce a better start to the 2023/24 season.
Kick-off is at 3pm.
THE OPPOSITION
Doncaster Rovers have seen struggles since their season opener, which has placed them at the bottom end of the league table.
However, with a plethora of games still yet to play, the Rovers will seek to improve on their current league position as we near the end of the first month of fixtures. That objective will start on Saturday for the travelling team.
Although yet to claim three points, Grant McCann’s squad claimed a positive result in their 2-2 draw against Mansfield Town. A team who have gone unbeaten since the start of the current campaign.
LAST TIME OUT
MK Dons claimed a miraculous 3-2 victory over Colchester United through a dramatic last-minute winner scored by young forward Matt Dennis.
Mo Eisa opened the scoring before Joe Taylor’s brace overturned the score-line within five minutes since the break of the deadlock.
Colchester maintained their lead until the 88-minute mark. Alex Gilbey, levelled the game once again through a composed chip past Owen Goodman.
Within the dying embers of the match, Matt Dennis secured all three points at the JobServe Community Stadium. Ash Hunter had placed the ball in Dennis’ path before the striker’s rapid touch and finish within the area had dealt the final blow.
Doncaster Rovers suffered a third defeat of the season following their result against Mansfield Town four days prior.
Grant McCann’s side sought to build on their point as they hosted Notts County at the EcoPower Stadium, but Luke William’s team had created a three-goal deficit for the Rovers within 54 minutes of match action.
Macaulay Langstaff’s brace, accompanied by Jodi Jones’ finish eliminated any panic from Doncaster’s late goal through Deji Sotona.
FIGHTING TALK
Graham Alexander “This will be another tough test.
“We saw last week with Colchester, who haven't won in the league either, how tough it can be. But we don’t prepare our performance to the level of the opposition, we have to perform as high as we can to have a chance of winning.
“We cannot drop our standards, because if we do, we'll get a punch on the nose. We have to be at it in every game. Our concentration and focus have to be on the levels we can get to, regardless of who we're playing.”
Grant McCann “I Know Graham well, he’s a good Manager that’s done well at most Clubs he’s been at. We’ve faced each other many times over the years and I wish him all the best after Saturday’s game.
“This week has given the group time to refresh and refocus. It’s been a good week of training, so hopefully that will help us moving into Saturday.
“(MK Dons) Are a team that are expected to be in and around the top-end of the league, so there’ll be expectations on them. For us, we want to go there and put a performance in, we understand their threats, but it’s been a real focus on us this week.”
TEAM NEWS
Graham Alexander provided an update on MJ Williams, who missed out on the Colchester fixture through a slight injury gained during the mid-week clash against Crawley Town.
“MJ has still not trained with us. He picked up a knock in the Crawley game, got through it, but wasn't at the level he expected.
“He told us he didn't want to let the team down, which is a testament to his character and personality. We're hopeful he'll come back on Thursday or Friday. But we've got players who are ready to step up and take the opportunity to help the team win.”
Matthew Dennis and Conor Grant featured in the most-recent game at the JobServe Community Stadium following injuries the pair sustained during pre-season preparations.
Dean Lewington and Charlie Waller, however, are still yet to feature and it remains to be seen whether the defensive duo will be fit enough to be involved within the Stadium MK clash.
Grant McCann issued an update on the injured midfielders Ben Close and Kyle Hurst:
“No, they’re not close to returning this week. We’re hopeful that they can be back involved next week, because they’ll need a good week’s training before we can think about adding them back into the matchday group.
“They’re getting better, which is a good sign, and we’ll see where they are for the following Saturday.
“We’ve picked up another injury too. I’d rather not say where, but we picked another one up from last weekend’s game, which is really annoying for us. But these things happen in football, and we can’t cry over it.”
OFFICIALS
Jacob Miles will be the man to take charge of Saturday’s Stadium MK fixture.
Miles has officiated one game so far this season, which saw the referee brandish a total of eight yellow cards throughout a clash between Walsall and Stockport County.
This was the referee’s first game within the EFL. Similarly, Miles will see his first trip to Stadium MK on Saturday.
His assistant referee’s include Jonathon Bickerdike and Shaun Farrer whilst Adrian Tranter will fulfil the fourth official role.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
MK Dons wins: 3
MK Dons wins at Stadium MK: 3
Last MK Dons win: 1-0, 27 Mar 2021 (Stadium MK)
Biggest MK Dons win: 3-0, 21 Apr 2015 (Stadium MK)
Draws: 5
Draws at Stadium MK: 0
Last draw: 1-1, 12 Sep 2020 (Eco Power Stadium)
Doncaster Rovers wins: 8
Doncaster Rovers wins at Stadium MK: 4
Last Doncaster Rovers win: 1-0, 22 Jan 2022 (Stadium MK)
Biggest Doncaster Rovers win: 3-0, 26 Dec 2004
ELSEWHERE IN SKY BET LEAGUE TWO
AFC Wimbledon v Forest Green Rovers
Barrow v Wrexham
Bradford City v Crewe Alexandra
Gillingham v Colchester United
Harrogate Town v Morecambe
Mansfield Town v Stockport County
Newport County v Sutton United
Notts County v Tranmere Rovers
Salford City v Accrington Stanley
Swindon Town v Crawley Town
Walsall v Grimsby Town
FOLLOW IT LIVE
Tickets can be bought online or at the Box Office until 4:00pm on Friday afternoon. CLICK HERE for more information or to purchase your ticket for the clash against Doncaster Rovers.
Stadium MK will also sell tickets on Saturday subject to a £2 matchday price increase.
Can't make the game? Listen LIVE on iFollow MK Dons with an Audio Match Pass - CLICK HERE to purchase your Audio Match Pass for £2.50!
Live text updates will also be provided on the Match Centre as well as Twitter, while a full report will be available to read shortly after the full-time whistle. Post-match reaction and highlights will follow after.
