The pre-season campaign gets underway in Berkshire on Friday night

MK Dons return to action this evening (Friday) when they take on Maidenhead United at York Road.

Drawing a line under their first full week back in pre-season training, Paul Warne’s side take on the Magpies of the National League South, though the head coach not putting any pressure on his players heading into the friendly encounter.

Unlike previous regimes, who put the players through a training session before taking to the field, Warne said the players would be put through their paces on Thursday, but would not be doing anything further ahead of the 7.30pm kick-off.

And much like in most pre-season games, Warne is not putting too much emphasis on the score line either, treating the game as another training session for his League One side, though he expects his managerial instincts to kick in by the time the game gets underway in Berkshire.

“I’m not expecting an amazing performance, it’s a good tick-box for us,” he said. “I say that now, but when I’m at the side of the pitch, it irritates me when we’re not great.

“If I’m honest, it’s just another training session, getting used to the pitch size again, getting used to playing 11 vs 11, and hopefully keep everyone fit for the plane on Sunday.

“I won’t train them on the day but I will blitz them on Thursday. They’ll play five-a-side on a full-sized pitch which is the worst session you can do.”

Despite the pressure-free environment, Warne says there is still an opportunity for players to stake an early claim in his plans heading into the new campaign.

He continued: “Pre-season games are also there for lads to put a flag in the ground. And if you’re a non-league player in one of these games, you’re also looking to impress.

“It will be a tough game, we know that, but it shows your true character. It also allows the three new players to settle in a bit and get directed if things aren’t going right.”