Warne has little investment in previous story lines between Dons and Crawley Town

The crossover of players and staff between MK Dons and Crawley Town mean both sides will know more about each other than most other teams in the division, according to Paul Warne.

With Scott Lindsey and Jamie Day in the dugout for the Reds again this season, having spent five months in charge last season, and countless players crossing the divide between the teams too during the last year, both camps will be plenty familiar with their opposition when they meet tonight (Tuesday) at the Broadfield Stadium.

The game itself will have a bit of extra needle for the fans too, with Dons eager to get one over on the side which unceremoniously beat them in the play-offs in 2023/24, and one over on the former boss after his sacking in March.

For Warne though, who is new to the storylines linking the sides, it is just another game.

“It makes no difference to me, but I understand how emotion affects games,” he said. “I said in our meeting, if I were to take this team to Derby, I always want my team to do well but I’d want them to do a little bit better as well. Emotion is a powerful force if you can control it.

“For me, it’s just another game, but Richie’s son plays at Crawley, he used to manage there and there are a lot of connections but we have to perform at a level to give us a chance to win the match.

“We might know a little more about them than we do about other teams, and some of their staff were here last season so they’ll know more about us so it’s a good neutraliser.”

Dons head into the game three unbeaten at the start of the campaign, while Crawley have lost all three of their games on their return to League Two.

Warne continued: “Both teams are trying to get to the top of the league, both are trying to win, both are attacking. They’ve got a young, athletic side and have been on the end of some good performances in parts but haven’t scored at the right times.

“We’ve started well, and hopefully we’ll get a positive result on Tuesday to set us up for the weekend.”