Reeves rushed his return after pre-season leg break

Everything looked set for Ben Reeves to make his big return to MK Dons in the summer, only for his season to be stunted a week before the opening clash.

Reeves spent four seasons at Stadium MK between 2013 and 2017 but departed for Charlton Athletic where he spent two seasons. After training with the club over the summer, he was offered a deal to return to Dons again.

The former Charlton man did not, as claimed by his former manager Paul Tisdale at the time, break his leg kicking himself, but the injury did occur in a behind-closed-doors game when they should have been taking on Bury. Reeves went on to play a cameo role in the 1-0 win over Shrewsbury a week later, teeing up Rhys Healey to score the stoppage time winner at Stadium MK. He was not seen for another two months though after the break was confirmed.

But his return has been sporadic. He has made just 17 appearances this season, though only six have come from the opening whistle. Handed a start on Saturday in the 1-0 win over Bolton, Reeves said his performance was OK, but said his desperation to make an impact in his comeback season made him rush his recovery.

He said: "It was tough to start the season with a broken leg, and thinking I could hit the ground running every time I came back was probably not the right approach. But I was so desperate to do well coming back to the club. Hopefully now I can kick on and have a strong end of the season.

"It was a shame – the day before what should have been the first game of the season. It was typical and a shame."

"I felt I did alright (against Bolton), but nowhere near the level I want to play at. It was a strange game as well, and unfortunately I didn't see much of the ball. Bolton sat back too, so when I did get the ball, I had two or three men around me and had to play backwards. But it was something to build on. I know Russ believes in me, so I hope in a few games time, I will be back to my best and scoring goals and helping the team.

"The important thing for me it not to put too much pressure on myself to go out there and score goals and do well. I have to ease my way back into the team. It's happening in training, but it doesn't come as easy as that into games but hopefully I can play like I know I can.

"It's nice to watch from the side, but it's hard because you're desperate to play. It is a good place to be, so we're all looking forward to the next game."