Gilbey back in full training but Silvera a doubt for MK Dons

Captain Alex Gilbey could be back on the field sooner than later after suffering a knee injury early in pre-season.

The 31-year-old went down early in MK Dons’ first pre-season game against Maidenhead, and has not featured at all since. But after receiving positive news about the extent of his injury, the skipper returned to training this week.

The curtain raiser against Oxford United on Saturday could come a little too soon for Gilbey though, as it has for Rushian Hepburn-Murphy. The winger has been out since Dons’ 1-0 win over Kuwait SC at the end of July, but he is set to be back in full training next week.

With neither involved in last Saturday’s Carabao Cup exit to Norwich City, the squad is set to look pretty similar, but for the exit of Liam Kelly to Peterborough United and summer signing Sam Silvera. The ex-Middlesbrough man landed awkwardly after being fouled at Carrow Road, having come on as a substitute, and injured his shoulder, which Warne confirmed could potentially see him miss out at the Kassam.

“Sam is struggling with his shoulder after that late challenge,” he said. “He landed on it quite badly and injured his shoulder joint. Whether he will be available this weekend I don’t know yet.

“I’m experienced to know these kinds of things happen. Norwich caused us all sorts of problems but it has brought to light the bits we need to work on.

“We tend to change things based on the opposition anyway, not often regarding the last performance. Personnel do, shape not so much.”