The ex-Hull City centre-half has backed MK Dons to go up this season

Former Derby County defender Curtis Davies has backed his old boss Paul Warne to lead MK Dons to promotion this season.

The 41-year-old played 20 times for Warne at Derby County before departing for Cheltenham in 2023, before hanging up his boots a year later.

During the pair’s brief time together at Pride Park, Derby came up just shy of reaching the League One play-offs, though Warne would lead the Rams to automatic promotion the following year, seeing them return to the Championship where they remain today.

Davies, who made nearly 700 career appearances predominantly in the Premier League and Championship, believes what he saw from Warne during their time together has him in no doubt that Dons will secure promotion this season.

Speaking to Hajper, Davies said: “Paul Warne being a former manager of mine, I know the job that he can do. When we talk about getting a team up, he is the man. He has had four promotions, and hopefully for him, this will be his fifth.

“The squad they assembled, the types of players they signed to go into League Two, being able to sign people like Nathaniel Mendez-Laing, Aaron Collins, Callum Paterson, Kane Wilson, Curtis Nelson, Gethin Jones etc. all these players you're able to sign in League Two, you just have to get up, basically.

“I do believe they will. Obviously, a massive statement win, beating Gillingham 5-1, who notoriously, under Gareth Ainsworth, don't concede too many, but that was a thumping.

“Not only are they able to win games, like the 2-0 against Walsall recently, the 1-0 against Newport, where they can get over the line with just a solid defensive display, they're putting teams to the sword as well.

“I just think Paul Warne's side seems to have kicked into full gear now. By hook or by crook, they're going to win games, and they will be in League One next year.”