MK Dons have sold their allocation in the away end for the game

A sold-out away end will greet MK Dons at Plough Lane on Thursday night, and winning for them should be plenty motivation for the players, according to Paul Warne.

Nearly 1,000 supporters from Milton Keynes will be in attendance to watch MK Dons take on rivals AFC Wimbledon for the 19th time, but for many of the current squad, it will be their first experience of the game.

With his side still seeking their first win of the season heading into their seventh game in League One, Warne said giving the fans a reason to celebrate at the end of the game should be plenty motivation for his players, admitting chasing that feeling should make his team-talk before the game easier.

“It definitely means more,” said Warne. “The players want the fans to sing their name. Especially for some of the new lads, they’ll want to win those fans over. For these sorts of games, it doesn’t need as much motivating from us (as coaches) because they know it means a lot to everyone. And it’s the same for both teams.

“We’re trying to play with passion but control, to quiet the home fans down.

“It does mean more to the players because they are fans for the day as well. There is not better feeling than at the final whistle, you’re celebrating with the fans after a win when they are beyond happy. It’s a great feeling.

“If it’s our first win of the season, and it goes up on the win wall, it is probably a bigger memory. To me, it’s a big deal because it’s the next game, because of the history of the clubs, because they’re determined to play against us, and that fuels me.”