How MK Dons could line-up to face Crewe Alexandra

Jon Mellish will join Luke Offord on the naughty step for the next two games following his second red card of the season last time out against Bromley.

Offord remains sidelined for one more game after serving a four-match ban for his straight against Salford - also his second of the season.

“We’re disappointed with both, it’s their second red cards,” said Warne ahead of the game. “I don’t think I’ve got a discipline problem, it’s just those two, everyone else are good boys. And Leko’s one wasn’t a red card (away at Tranmere), I’m not having that.

“But we’ll be missing those two, so it’s always next man up. We’ll shuffle the pack and we’ll go from there.”

It means head coach Paul Warne will need to find a replacement for the Wigan Athletic loanee at left wing-back, where he has options in the form of Aaron Nemane, Joe Tomlinson and Connor Lemonheigh-Evans.

There was more positive news though for Curtis Nelson, who was ill during Saturday’s win over the Ravens.

Warne confirmed: “He’s had the joy of putting the weight back on after being ill. It was just a 24-hour bug, so he’s fine and he’s desperate to play a part in the game.”

Dons’ first-half performance against leaders Bromley, which saw them race into a 2-0 lead after just 17 minutes at Stadium MK last Saturday, means he is unlikely to tinker much in midfield and attack ahead of the trip to Gresty Road.

Here’s how we think Dons will line-up in Cheshire.