Robbo wields the axe on Dons squad

Some MK Dons players have already been told their futures lie elsewhere after meeting with manager Karl Robinson earlier this week.
Karl RobinsonKarl Robinson
Karl Robinson

Following the club’s relegation back to League 1 last Saturday, Robinson called individual meetings with each of the players on Monday to discuss their futures.

“We’ve already had discussions with players who won’t be here next season,” admitted Robinson. “We had those talks on Monday. And they won’t play any part for the remainder of the season. It wasn’t a difficult job.

“This is the end of a cycle. It’s refreshing. There is still a lot of work to do.”

With two games still remaining this season, Robinson said he will experiment with young players for the trip to Ipswich and the home game against Nottingham Forest.

He added: “We have to approach the last two games reflecting on the future of the football club, not just the immediate future.

“There are a few young players we’re going to draft into training to see whether they’re ready for Saturday.

“There are some kids I’m really interested in. There’s a an U16 who will be travelling with us, hopefully, on Saturday who I’m really excited about seeing.

“There will also be an U17 on the bench. These two kids are really top kids and I’m excited about seeing them develop.”

Dons travel to Portman Road for the first time to face an Ipswich Town side in consistent, if not spectacular form. Without a win in seven matches, Mick McCarthey’s side have drawn five times and have seen their play-off chances go up in smoke.

Earlier this season, Dons lost 1-0 to a Brett Pitman goal at stadium:mk in only the second meeting between the two sides.

Robinson said: “I’m looking forward to playing against a great manager at a great stadium - that’s what I’ll miss most about this level.”