Dons in discussion with other clubs about potentially furloughing players

Players may yet be furloughed at MK Dons, but the decision will only be made based on a consensus from the rest of League One, according to Andrew Cullen.

Dons are one of a number of clubs to have already furloughed non-playing staff during the coronavirus pandemic - around 96 per cent of their workforce.

Cullen, the club's Executive Director, admitted the playing staff make up 35 per cent of the business' payroll, but they will only be placed into furlough along with the rest of the business if other League One clubs are also taking those measures.

He said: "Of all the people we employ, players represent four per cent of our workforce but 35 per cent of our wage bill. We're very keen to continue discussions with the players. We haven't furloughed them yet, but we want to be collective as a league – what some will do, others may follow. That's been the general topic of discussion in the last few days.

"We're doing our best. We have a plan, we're working immensely hard. The biggest cost is the payroll, but by furloughing the majority of our staff, we've been able to use the government scheme which has been incredibly helpful in getting us through."

Although the club is suffering in the short term as a result of the lack of cashflow from regular matchdays, Cullen added there is light at the end of the tunnel, with plenty of bookings at the stadium and in the arena still in place for later in the year.

He added: "We can see at the other end of the tunnel that the business is booking events for next year, so at the moment, we're navigating the short term crisis, but we can see the medium and long term. It gives us a lot of encouragement for the future that we can trade and play football."