No midweek game for MK Dons has helped the returning quartet

A full and crucially uninterrupted week of training will be hugely beneficial to MK Dons’ returning injured players as they seek a way back into Paul Warne’s plans.

Nathaniel Mendez-Laing and Will Collar have both been involved in parts of training of late, but with midweek games over the last two weeks the schedule has been intermittent.

The stop-start nature of training has played a role in delaying their returns, the head coach thinks, but with a full week, they could be back up to speed ahead of this Saturday’s trip to Salford City.

Callum Paterson too is due to return to training this week, while Curtis Nelson missed Saturday’s game with Barnet due to personal issues, and the duo could also be in contention.

Warne said: “It is difficult for the squad practice because we’ve had so many games, meaning that training has been minimal. Tuesday and Thursday this week will look a lot more normal and will give us a better opportunity to look at those players.

“Full training hasn’t looked like full training recently so that will help.

“I think Pato looks better now than when he was playing. I’m hoping he can join in squad training this week. If we have a good week with Collar and Natty then they could be in the squad for Salford too.”

Not just important on-the-field players, Warne said the returning quartet play a big role in the dressing room too, and their returns to the day-to-day fold is equally as vital with eight games remaining this season.

He continued: “The other thing about those characters is exactly that - they are characters, winners, drivers of standards and they are good names to have on the team-sheet, they bring fear. I know If Mendez has someone stood up on the edge of the box, something is going to happen. If the ball is coming in, Nels is going to win it no matter what.

“The lads have done brilliantly all year. It’s always the way, those players who are out injured suddenly become better! But Pato has had an amazing season, Natty has, since Nelson has come in he has too, Collar was in great nick before he got injured. They’re good players with good pedigree.”