Dons fans return to Stadium MK tonight

It has been 276 days since MK Dons fans last saw their side play at Stadium MK, and tonight they return again.

They played against Charlton last Wednesday night in front of 2,000 Addicks fans, whose reaction irked manager Lee Bowyer during Dons' 1-0 win.

But Russell Martin believes the impact of having supporters back at Stadium MK will greatly benefit his side as they did last season.

"It's exciting, really exciting," he said ahead of tonight's game with Norwich U21s. "It will really help us as a group. The fans played a big part in helping us stay in the league, have been patient with us so much. I really hope we get that again. We'll be excited to have them back.

"It will be different, but it will be miles better. It hasn't been the same without fans at all. Hopefully it will be really powerful for us, and we can repay their faith for backing the club the way they have.

"I hope they come with positivity and happiness. A lot of the players have not played in front of fans here, and I think it will help them. My message is to come along and enjoy being back, a part of it and help create something like last season."

As well as having supporters back in their seats, the players will have their families at games for the first time since March. George Williams' dad has been a regular both home and away since he signed for the club in 2016, and the defender says having fans and family back shows light at the end of the coronavirus tunnel.

He said: "(His had) has been itching to get back, always asking what games he can come to. It's great for the fans and for us to have our families coming to our games, and hopefully we're getting closer to normality."