Pitch problems too costly to fix for the time being

It is not hard to tell the pitch at Stadium MK is in poor condition, but Russell Martin admitted there is little anyone can do about it at the moment.

With games coming thick and fast, the playing surface at MK1 is cutting up, is balding, bobbling and is clearly hampering Dons, especially in the centre of the park.

The manager sounded exasperated when asked about the condition of the playing surface on Tuesday night following the 3-0 defeat to Sunderland in the Papa John's Trophy, and though he refused to blame it for the defeat, he admitted there is precious little he can do about it at the moment given what it would cost to rectify.

"The guys do unbelievably well to do what they do on that pitch," he said. "We're looking into everything we can do to improve the pitch, but it costs money and we're in the middle of a global pandemic.

"Regardless of how I feel about it, I'm not going to use it as an excuse, but it's clear for everyone to see, it's not good enough. I'm sure other clubs are in the same situation.

"The players do incredibly well to do what they do on it."