Martin calls on Keogh with his staff self-isolating

With three of MK Dons' backroom staff self-isolating, Russell Martin called on Richard Keogh to take up assistant manager duties against Eastleigh on Sunday.

Luke Williams, goalkeeping coach Dean Thornton and Head of Recruitment Liam Sweeting were all told to self-isolate after coming in contact with someone testing positive for Covid-19, and missed the trip to the Silverlake Stadium for the FA Cup clash, leaving Martin without his regular team behind him.But having afforded defender Keogh - who spoke of his desires to become a manager when his playing career ends - the day off against the National League side, the former Republic of Ireland international lined-up next to Martin, acting as his assistant for the afternoon.

"It was good to have him with me, someone to bounce off. He wants to go down that path in a few years. But he was really good with the players today and it will be really good for his experience. I missed Luke and Dean though, the guys I spend 97 per cent of my life with! We'll have another game or two without them, it's not the same feel but it's the world we live in."