Win would over Cambridge be a 'massive step' towards promotion - Warne

Whatever the result between second placed Cambridge United and third placed MK Dons on Saturday it will not define the season, Paul Warne said.

With games ticking away towards the culmination of a fascinating promotion fight, the clash at the Abbey Stadium could give the potential winner a huge boost in the fight for not only a top three finish, but for a fight for the title.

“If we win, we haven’t won anything, and if we lose, we haven’t lost anything,” said Dons’ head coach. “However, a win might mean a little bit more because we could jump up the league, or we could be five points behind. It would be a massive step.

“Both teams are really confident, I’ve played against the manager loads, as players too. I know it will be a really good game, but they’ll have to be really good to beat us, and vice versa.”

The sides head into the game in great form, with Dons unbeaten in eight, and Cambridge winning eight of their last ten, losing only once November.

Meeting in the early kick-off at the Abbey Stadium, in front of a sold-out travelling MK Dons fanbase, Warne said he is expecting a stern challenge from the U’s.

Warne continued: “I think they’ve have the most clean sheets in the EFL, they hardly ever get cut open, they don’t concede many chances. I don’t think they concede that many chances, and when they do, their keeper is called upon. They create chances, they’re really good at attacking set-pieces.

“I’ve said many a time, if you’re good at defending set-pieces, at attacking set-pieces, you don’t make too many mistakes, you give yourself a good chance to win.

“Cambridge have won a lot of games, and since October, November, I would say they are the top side on firm. In the last ten games, I’d say we were there or thereabouts.”