Dons-Northampton Preview

Roberto Di Matteo prepares for his first league game at stadium:mk tomorrow afternoon, as locals Northampton Town travel to Milton Keynes for the second game of this new league campaign.

The Dons will be looking to improve on their 2-0 defeat at Leicester City last weekend, a result which left them rooted to the foot of the League One table.

However, a rejuvenated side provided a midweek cup shock in the Carling Cup, knocking out Championship side Norwich City with a 1-0 home win.

The Cobblers themselves have enjoyed a bright start to the campaign, following a 4-2 victory over Cheltenham at the weekend with a 1-0 win over Millwall in the cup in midweek.

They sit handsomely at this stage of the season in 2nd place.

Northampton boss Stuart Gray has spoken about how he has a fully-fit squad to select from for his side's visit to stadium:mk.

'We didn't pick up any injuries on Tuesday night so fingers crossed I've got a fully fit squad to choose from,' he told the official club site.

'Adebayo Akinfenwa will have benefited from playing the full 90 minutes at Millwall and it was good to get Giles Coke back out on the pitch as well.'

'Bayo was a little bit stiff and sore after the game and he won't train on Thursday but he will train again on Friday and he should be okay.'

The Dons have no injury worries after coming through Tuesday night's game against Norwich unscathed.

Defender Danny Swailes managed an hour on his comeback from injury, and manager Roberto Di Matteo faces a headache over whether to continue with him along the backline.

Di Matteo said, 'We have to see how he is going to react after playing. He had a very short pre-season so we don't want to stress his Achilles too much, we know he is a big player for us.'

In midfield the Italian faces a choice between Alan Navarro or Peter Leven to partner skipper Keith Andrews.

After an experty-taken goal against Norwich City on Tuesday, his first competitive strike for the Dons, and one that draw comparisions with Michael Owen, the 19-year-old will be on a mission to continue his good form and bring it into the league.

The Cobblers have no fresh injury concerns after their 1-0 midweek cup win over Millwall, leaving manager Stuart Gray with a full squad at his disposal.

Gray is set to name an unchanged side for the third game in succession, with Ade Akinfenwa expected to shrug off a knock to start up front.

The big striker hit twice on the Cobblers' opening day and, despite struggling with a knock in midweek, is expected to defiantly lead the line again at stadium:mk.

Both sides enjoyed contrasting opening days last weekend. Northampton put four past Cheltenham in a 4-2 victory, while the Dons were beaten 2-0 away at Leicester. Currently, the Cobblers are 2nd, with MK Dons rooted to the foot of the table.

The last time the two sides met one another was 25 years ago, when the Dons were still registered as Wimbledon.

The last ten clashes have seen four Dons wins, one Northampton victory and five draws.

The referee for the game is Gavin Ward, who last officiated a Dons match last season during the side's 1-1 draw with Macclesfield last season.

After a confidence-boosting victory over Norwich on Tuesday, the Dons should be able to make home advantage count tomorrow. Vital Dons Says: 1-0

Saturday 23rd August - Huddersfield (A)

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