It has been an intense two weeks at MK Dons

The MK Dons players will be given a few days off this week in the lead-up to next Saturday’s FA Cup first round clash with Swindon Town.

After playing five games in 14 days, largely with the same starting 11 as they picked up four wins to climb to 11th in League One, boss Paul Warne has admitted the workload has been very intense for his squad and the need for a break is essential.

Not taking his eyes off the prize though, the head coach is keen to see his side book a spot in the second round of the world’s most famous cup competition.

Taking on the League Two Robins, Warne said he will still be looking to name a strong side in the first round.

Explaining the club’s schedule this week, he said: “It’s a pressure keg, and we’ve gone Saturday-Tuesday-Saturday-Tuesday-Saturday, the lads cannot keep going at that pace without a break here and there.

“We’ve come right off them in training, we’ll do come off them again in training this week, then I’ll pick a team for Saturday.

“I want to win. There’s an argument to say playing every week is the best training. When we took a battering off Reading, they continued playing in the international break when we didn’t. There’s a thin line between keeping the lads hungry and ready and injury prevention.

“We’ll give them a couple of days off but will build up again and pick a team to win, then we’ll go to Bromley (in the EFL Trophy) and make significant changes for that.”