Dons must embrace change as squad faces another shake-up - Manning

Liam Manning admitted it is hard to say goodbye to the six players confirmed to be leaving MK Dons at the end of their contract next month.

Aden Baldwin, Brandon Mason, John Freeman, Hiram Boateng, Jay Bird and Connor Wickham have not been offered new deals to remain at Stadium MK, while David Kasumu and Josh McEachran have deals on the table. Daniel Harvie and Tennai Watson have also had options in their contracts taken up by the club for another season.

With the five loan players - Troy Parrott, Jamie Cumming, Kaine Kesler-Hayden, Theo Corbeanu and Conor Coventry - all returning too, it leaves Dons with another massive shake-up this summer.

After the players led Dons to third place in League One in Manning’s first season in charge, the head coach admitted it was tough say goodbye but said he was excited by the prospect of rebuilding again this summer.

“It is always difficult having to say goodbye to those who have contributed over the course of the season,” he admitted. “We are grateful to the efforts of all those who are leaving us, including the five loan players who showed real commitment and desire despite only spending a short few months here at Stadium MK.

“Change is part and parcel of the industry and is something we, as a football club, must embrace if we are to continue evolving. This transfer window provides us with another opportunity to build and improve on what is a talented young squad and that is something we are working hard on already, ahead of next season.”