Dons are getting used to new coronavirus travel plans

MK Dons hit the road for their longest away day of the season so far today (Friday) as they head to Blackpool for their fixture at Bloomfield Road, but it's a lot different to their last trip.

Like the rest of society, players must wear their masks for the 193-mile coach journey, stay in separate hotel rooms and eat at separate times, while non-playing staff will make their own ways to the hotel.

"We're all having to adapt, it's the same for everyone in the footballing world," said Dons boss Russell Martin. "Everyone has to wear masks on the coach – we've tried to change the coach but there isn't one available. We've considered two coaches but the cost becomes really high, so everyone has to wear a mask. The management staff travel up in cars to avoid having as many people on the coach, which isn't ideal either.

"Everyone has to room on their own, when normally they'd be in with their room-mates just in case. Dinner times have to be staggered as well but everyone is getting used to it now."

Stadium MK is a different place too, with the club doing everything they can to prevent any outbreak of the virus amongst the team.

Martin continued: "This club, with the sports science and medical department we have, is making sure is looked after with strict guidelines in place. We've got separate dressing rooms at the moment, we're not able to use the lecture theatre because it's not socially distant, all that sort of stuff they've been hot on.

"The players have taken a lot of responsibility for that as well. Everyone has a life outside of here as well, but when they're here, we're looking after them as well as possible."