Dons Glad To Be Home

MK Dons play in front of their home crowd for the first time in nearly 5 weeks when they meet Mansfield Town at the NHS.

Currently lying in 5th position with a game in hand, three points from this game will keep the Dons in touch with the leading pack vying for automatic promotion.

The stags need all the points they can get at the moment to prevent them from dropping towards the relegation zone.

Vital Quotes:

‘There are only two and a half months left in this long campaign, we have 14 matches to go, and 14 cup finals. I believe we are in a great position to go on to achieve our goal. Tomorrow night, under lights, with a great atmosphere generated by our supporters, is no better place to start.’
Martin Allen – Manager MK Dons

MK Dons Team News:

Flu victims Clive Platt and Lloyd Dyer who both missed Saturday’s match at Bristol Rovers will hopefully be sufficiently recovered to be in contention for the Stags game.

Adolpho Baines is expected to retain his place in goal and Paul Mitchell might feature following his superb substitute performance on Saturday.

Izale McLeod sits out the last of his 5 match ban but Keith Andrews one match ban for collecting 5 yellow cards will not take effect until Saturday so is expected to play.

Player to watch: Leon Knight

The diminutive striker was bought in from Swansea during the January transfer window and will be making his home debut against the Stags. He will win the undying loyalty and support of the Dons faithful if he manages to net.

Mansfield Town Team News:

Midfielder Matty Hamshaw will be missing from the side due to ‘personal reasons’, Simon Brown is expected to replace him.

Striker Danny Reet featured as a late substitute for the Stags on Saturday after returning from injury so could feature against the Dons.

Player to watch: Barry Conlon

Dons fans will remember the hairless striker when he visited the NHS with his former club Barnsley, it will be interesting to see if he manages to go 90 minutes without at least one booking.

Match Facts & Stats

The Dons met Mansfield in their second game of the season and came away pointless following a 2-1 defeat. Since them The Dons form has kept them in the top six for most of the season and are serious contenders for one of the three automatic promotion places.

In contrast, Mansfield have struggled to find consistent form this season and have won just three times away from home. The Stags currently lie in 16th place in league two, just 7 points away from the relegation zone.

Ref Watch:

Referee: G K HEGLEY

Officials: I F Bentley and M D Rowley

Fourth Official : R G James

Match Prediction:

MK Dons will be seeking to make amends for their defeat at Field Mill earlier in the season and will prove too tough a challenge for the struggling Stags. 2-0 to the Dons.

Next Fixtures:

Saturday 24th February 2007
Notts County -v- MK Dons