Dons' cup game openers will be used to give players minutes

MK Dons' back-to-back cup games to get the season underway will be used primarily to give players minutes ahead of the League One campaign.

Russell Martin's side kick off on Saturday with a Carabao Cup first round game against Coventry City before hosting Northampton Town in the EFL Trophy three days later, ahead of their first league game since March away at Doncaster Rovers.

With an already busy schedule during September and October, Martin says the cup games will be taken seriously, but he will be looking to give players some late fitness work heading into the league season rather than getting too worried about the results.

"They're both important games, time to give everyone time on the pitch before the start of the season on Saturday. Over the two games, it will be a chance for everyone to get game time."

And though the cup games come as a precurser to the league campaign, Martin warns his side will not be exactly how he intends when they head to Doncaster on September 12.

"We'll be ready," he said. "But we won't be the finished article, it's about managing expectations, making sure we're realistic and pragmatic in our approach. The players will want more, but that's great for us."