MK Dons have been left stunned after losing boss Roberto Di Matteo to West Bromwich Albion, but could be about to welcome back former manager Paul Ince.

Just hours after Dons' first pre-season training session and 24 hours after an initial approach was made, Di Matteo was confirmed as the new manager of the Baggies.

Losing the club's third boss in as many seasons has left the fans shocked, but they could be in for an even bigger surprise as old boy Ince is back in talks with chairman Pete Winkelman regarding a return to stadium:mk.

Di Matteo has taken assistant manager Eddie Newton and coach Ade Mafe along with him to the midlands and signed a rolling 12-month deal.

A strong interview on Monday impressed the club enough to offer him a crack at Championship football after just the 12 months with the Dons. A six-figure compensation package has also been reached between the two clubs.

With just five weeks to go before the start of the new League One season and with just 16 players on the club's books, the new boss certainly has his work cut out.

But Ince knows more about the side than most and may be set to make a shock return exactly one year after he left to join Blackburn Rovers.

The Citizen believes that Ince is keen to make a return and that he and Winkelman have been locked in talks over the length of the contract on offer.

It's thought Ince will only agree to a short-term deal that could see him walk away at short notice should a top flight club come in for him.

The deal is also likely to include the return of Ray Mathias as assistant.

>> Meanwhile the Citizen understands that Di Matteo wants to make Dons defender Sean O'Hanlon his first signing at the Hawthorns.

The Italian is a big admirer of the 26-year-old centre back after his superb season at stadium:mk.

He sees the former Everton trainee as the ideal man to shore up the Baggies defence and may look to swoop in the next few days.

O'Hanlon signed a contract extension until 2011 with the Dons in December last year.