HEAD-TO-HEAD: Can Dons escape drop zone with win over bottom side Chesterfield?

Barker has taken charge of the side since Karl Robinson's departure a month ago, and will lead the side into his sixth game in charge against Chesterfield on Tuesday night.

Chesterfield are in the midst of a dreadful run, picking up just one point from a possible 30, leaving them rock bottom of League 1.And with Dons also seeking their first league win since October 1, Barker, whose future beyond Tuesday night remains a mystery even to the man himself, says there would be no better way to sign off than by getting Dons out of the drop zone.

"I suppose it would be a nice way to sign off," he said. "The negative is not winning a home game until the end of November. But from my point of view, it would be good to get that monkey off the back.

"That's how everyone will see it, I'm sure, just as we saw it for the Spennymoor game and the Bristol Rovers game when we were winning 3-1 with five minutes to go.

"It won't be easy, it won't just be about showing up. Chesterfield could easily have got something from the game at Fleetwood, and we know there are no easy games in this division. I know people want me to say we're going to come out and do this, that and the other, and stop having this same conversation about home form.

"But the players are in a good place. I know we've only picked up a couple of draws, but it's amazing how a last minute equaliser and a clean sheet can help. I expect that to continue on Tuesday."

Like Dons, Chesterfield's slump in form saw them start promisingly, only for form to fail dramatically. Having not scored a point since September 27, Danny Wilson's side are rooted to the foot of the table, already seven points adrift of safety.

They do, however, have a great record against MK Dons, having won the last three meetings at Stadium MK - all of which came in the same 2014/15 season, and all of which finished 1-0, including a farcically replayed FA Cup clash.

Nicky Maynard is unlikely to play a part with a hamstring problem, while Darren Potter may return.