The defender is back in contention but MK Dons’ captain is set to miss a third game in a row

Defender Marvin Ekpiteta is in line to return to action for MK Dons against Oxford United on Friday night, but Alex Gilbey is set to remain on the side lines.

Ex-Hibs man Ekpiteta limped out of the New Year’s Day defeat to Colchester United holding his hamstring, leaving Dons fans fearing the worst after a spate of the same injury has torn through the squad.

But after missing the 2-2 draw with Chesterfield a few days later, Ekpiteta has shaken off his injury concerns and could return to the side for the FA Cup third round clash.

Skipper Alex Gilbey meanwhile is unlikely to be risked against the U’s. Absent for the last two games with a groin issue, the 31-year-old is nearing fitness again but head coach Paul Warne admitted he is reluctant to put him back in too soon.

“Gilbs is ok but I don’t think I’ll risk him in the cup game,” he said. “We’ll look at him after the weekend.

“Marv’s fine now. We’ve picked up another couple of issues after Sunday’s game, but Marv is ok.”

With Dons’ priority lying with League Two, Warne said he is caught between two minds when it comes to his approach to the FA Cup and his selection for the third round game.

He said: “I’d love to go through, I’d love more of a cup run. But if you offered me going through and we lose more key players, that’s a problem. We have to be sensible with our decisions, but the lads are in a good place and want to play.

“We’ve got seven days before our next game after Friday, they’ve had a good rest in between, so I think we can go pretty strong.”