New Dons signing Miguel Angel Llera could make his debut against Yeovil Town on Saturday after it was revealed Danny Swailes faces an operation on his troubled achilles tendon.

The influential centre half faces months on the sidelines after being told he will have to go under the knife in a bid to solve the niggling injury he just can't seem to shake off.

The former Macclesfield defender spent the summer trying to recuperate, and despite starting the games against Norwich and Northampton Town he still needs surgery.

Dons boss Roberto Di Matteo has admitted losing the defender will be a big blow.

He said: "It's a problem he had at the end of last season. It didn't settle down over the summer and we tried some therapy to get rid of the problems, and he worked hard but it is another big blow for us to be honest.

"He is a big player for this team and it just doesn't seem to get any easier as we go along."

And the Italian said Miguel is a like-for-like replacement that he expects to step up to the plate.

"He's a 6ft 3in giant, has got experience, is good on the ball and hopefully he'll be a big asset for us.

"He has been playing in the second division in Spain, he has played in the Primera Liga for one season and he is very keen to come to England to prove himself."

After Saturday's loss to Swindon Town courtesy of a last minute penalty, Di Matteo is confident his side will bounce back and said the key will be to cut out the silly mistakes.

"It is a tough league, anyone can beat anyone and it showed in the results on Saturday. It is going to continue like this all season. Consistency is the key.

"Whoever makes less mistakes will be at the top. And that is why Saturday's game was frustrating. We gave away a cheap goal and as long as we continue to make those mistakes it will be very, very difficult for us."

The rookie Italian was pleased to not pick up any new injuries last Saturday, and says he should have both Florian Sturm and Luke Howell back from injury.

It gives him an almost full squad to choose from with just Swailes and Ali Gerba – who is on international duty – unavailable.

But he admits with all the troubles he's had to overcome he expects a lot more to come from the side as he still doesn't know who his best 11 is.

He said: "We've been dealing with so many problems on and off the pitch – the Keith Andrews saga, the Danny Swailes injury – I haven't been able to put an 11 down and say this is my first 11. We haven't played our strongest team yet.

"It is difficult to assess things as some of our players haven't even played for us yet. Some have only played one or two games so we haven't been able to mould them."

Yeovil were able to rest key players Terry Skiverton, Darren Way and Lee Peltier in their Johnstone's Paint Trophy defeat to Brentford on Tuesday night so they shouldn't have too many tired legs come Saturday.