The skipper could be back in action in September

The severity of Alex Gilbey’s knee injury is a lot less than initially feared by the MK Dons medical staff, and he could be back in action as early as September.

The 31-year-old suffered an MCL injury in his knee barely five minutes into Dons’ first pre-season game against Maidenhead United, forcing him out of the game and out of the club’s pre-season training camp in Croatia last week.

Fearing a lengthy spell on the sidelines - potentially out for the season depending on the severity - the skipper received some good news last week, with the extent of the injury not as bad as first thought.

It means Gilbey could be back in action after the early League One exchanges, according to head coach Paul Warne.

“That’s really good news. After the first four or five games, we could have him back hopefully,” he said. ““I think we’ll miss him for six to eight weeks, which is a lot less than the four, five, six months we thought initially, possibly even the season.

“We thought it would be a severe MCL injury, but it’s fortunately not that severe. He doesn’t need surgery, he’s in a cast for a couple of weeks and then he will start back in light training.”

A key part of the group off-the-field, Gilbey’s absence in Pula was felt, the head coach admitted, and said even though he is not fit to play for a while, the captain’s presence will still be felt on the side’s return to England.

Warne added: “We’ve been sending him messages since we’ve been out here, I know how much he hates missing out. It’s disappointing for him but on the grand scheme of things, it’s the best of the bad news for him.

“We’re looking forward to seeing him again. He can’t do a lot for a bit but he’ll be a part in the meetings and he’ll create the buzz about the place. He’s been a great captain since I’ve been here and he’s been sorely missed.”