There was some positive news from the MK Dons treatment room

MK Dons could have captain Alex Gilbey and centre-back Marvin Ekpiteta back in contention sooner than expected.

The skipper has missed the last two games, against Colchester and Chesterfield, with a groin injury, while ex-Hibs defender Ekpiteta limped out against the U’s on New Year’s Day and also did not feature against the Spireites on Sunday.

After long-term injuries have hit the squad recently, with Joe Tomlinson, Nathaniel Mendez-Laing and Will Collar all set to be out for several months, and Kane Wilson still a way off after suffering a knee injury on his debut back in August, head coach Paul Warne gave Dons fans some positive news from the treatment room.

“Gilbs has flared up his groin, so he will need injections and I don’t think he’ll be available for Oxford but should be for the game after,” he said.

“With Marv, his scan came back clear so he has an awareness of his hamstring. He felt uncomfortable in training on Saturday. It wasn’t the best way to test him in fairness, training on a rock hard pitch. But we’re hopeful he can train this week so it’s not too bad.

“The rest of the injured lads though are a long way off, and I don’t think there’s anyone due to be involved in the next six weeks.”