The players head to Croatia this weekend to begin their summer training camp

The new faces at MK Dons will be given a crash course in their new team-mates when the side head to Croatia on Sunday.

Dan Barlaser, Charlie Goode and Cohen Bramall all featured in Dons’ first pre-season game against Maidenhead on Friday night, with the latter in particular making a big impression in his first public run-out for the side.

And though Barlaser and Bramall have both played for boss Paul Warne, and know a handful of their team-mates from previous clubs, living in each other’s pockets for a week in a training camp will help them integrate further with the group.

When the side trained in Spain last season, many players highlighted the environment as one which set the tone for the rest of the season, culminating in promotion at the end of term. And defender Jack Sanders sees no reason why this summer’s camp in Croatia cannot replicate that again.

“Last season was so important because there were so many new faces to integrate,” Sanders admitted. “All the players really got to know each other on a deeper level in that trip, and I think that was a real setting stone for what a good dressing room we had.

“It’s great for bonding, getting to know your team-mates, the new lads. We’ve got a great group so any new lads who come in is welcomed by all of us.”

For head coach Warne, the bonding and galvanising of his players as a group is just as important as the physical fitness, while their game against NK Istra will be another tough test for his players.

Warne said: “The pre-season trip is as much to do with the players bonding as much as it is training.

“They’re all pretty fit by the time we go anyway, and the game we play there comes a couple of weeks before the Croatian season starts so I’m well-aware it will be a tough game.

“I’d like to go stronger, but I also like seeing my players suffer sometimes.”