MK Dons v Oldham preview

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Ryan Hall could be handed his first MK Dons start against Oldham.

The former Leeds winger joined the Dons last week on a deal until the end of the season and after making a five-minute cameo in the impressive win over Walsall, may be promoted to Karl Robinson’s starting XI.

With Dean Bowditch suffering a hip problem and loanee Chris Long returning to parent club Everton with a thigh injury, Izale Mcleod successfully took on the lone striker role by bagging a brace and winning a penalty on his first start since November 23.

The striker will keep his place as the Dons, nine points off the play-offs, look to secure back-to-back victories.

James Wesolowski is expected to be available when Oldham travel to MK Dons.

The midfielder picked up a knee injury in the 1-1 draw with Bristol City last weekend but trained on Thursday with boss Lee Johnson waiting to see how his problem reacted before declaring his availability.

Latics have no other injury concerns and are likely to continue with a central-defensive partnership of Adam Lockwood and James Wilson as Johnson admitted he was prepared to concede defeat on getting Brentford’s James Tarkowski back on loan.

The recent inclement weather which has hit the region saw Oldham’s reserve game against Tranmere postponed, robbing new signing Rhys Turner (hamstring) of some much-needed game time.

MK Dons v Oldham preview

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MK Dons begin the new season without midfielder Stephen Gleeson.

Gleeson, one of last season’s star performers for the Dons and named in the PFA team of the year for the 2011/12 campaign, will start a three-match suspension after the club’s appeal against the red card he received against Cheltenham last weekend was turned down.

Further bad news from the Capital One Cup win at Whaddon Road for manager Karl Robinson sees him lose the versatile Shaun Williams (ankle) for around three weeks.

Recent signing Antony Kay, who replaced Williams at Cheltenham, is likely to come in at centre-half for his full debut.

Big summer arrival Alan Smith is a contender to fill the void left by Gleeson.

Defender Mathias Kouo-Doumbe is still not fit after suffering a knee problem during pre-season.

Oldham boss Paul Dickov is expected to stick with the same side that suffered Capital One Cup defeat at the hands of Sheffield Wednesday.

Jordan Slew and Jean-Yves Mvoto gave Latics a 2-0 half-time lead over last season’s League One runners-up before being overwhelmed and going down to a 4-2 loss after the interval.

On-loan Blackburn youngster Slew was making his debut and is in line for his league bow at stadium:mk, with fellow strikers Daniel Taylor and Matt Smith most likely having to settle for a place among the substitutes.

An absence of injury problems comes as a boost for Dickov, who suffered a succession of fitness worries as Oldham trailed away after Christmas last season. The Scot only has 21 senior professionals at his disposal this time around.

That number could swell to 22 before the weekend after the former Manchester City striker revealed he had a “50/50” chance of bringing in a new recruit in the coming days.

The left-side of midfield is known to be a position Dickov would like to strengthen.

MK Dons v Oldham preview

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Alan Smith and Jabo Ibehre are doubts for MK Dons ahead of the match.

Smith is nursing an ankle knock following the defeat at League One leaders Charlton on Tuesday night and the on-loan Newcastle midfielder will undergo a late fitness test.

Striker Ibehre has sustained a hamstring injury and he will also be assessed.

However, one player who will definitely miss out is defender Gary MacKenzie. The Scottish centre-half was sent off for the second time this season against Charlton for violent conduct after pushing his head towards that of Addicks striker Yann Kermorgant.

MacKenzie will begin a four-match suspension, with Mathias Doumbe likely to get the nod to replace him at the heart of the back four.

Meanwhile, Oldham will once again be without captain Dean Furman for the trip to MK Dons.

Furman has been absent from the Latics midfield for the previous four matches with a knee complaint and hopes to resume training next week after receiving a painkilling injection in the troublesome joint on Wednesday.

James Wesolowski finally underwent a shoulder operation earlier this week having suffered from dislocations throughout the season, meaning boss Paul Dickov is short of options in the centre of the park.

Chris Taylor reverted from his usual wide role to fill in during the 2-1 midweek victory over Walsall, while left winger Keanu Marsh Brown impressed on his full debut. Both are expected to retain their positions at the weekend.

Centre-back Zander Diamond returns to the squad after suffering a hip injury against Chesterfield last month, while long-term thigh injury victim Reuben Reid is set to return to full training next week.

MK Dons v Oldham preview

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Striker Jabo Ibehre remains a doubt for MK Dons.

The former Walsall man missed out on the 1-0 win at Hartlepool on Saturday through the illness which forced him off at half-time against Leyton Orient last Tuesday.

He has made a return to training but is far from 100 per cent fit and manager Karl Robinson will make a late decision about his inclusion.

Youngster Daniel Powell took his place at Hartlepool and, after netting the winner, will be hoping to start again, while full-back Danny Woodards has recovered from the same illness and is available.

Striker Sam Baldock is a week away from a return following his latest hamstring injury and on-loan QPR frontman Angelo Balanta remains sidelined with his ankle problem.

Oldham boss Paul Dickov could be boosted by the return of Dale Stephens.

The highly-rated midfielder has missed the last three matches because of a virus but has been given the all-clear to resume training.

Dickov said: “We will have to see how much the virus has taken out of his body fitness-wise.

“We have missed Dale because he is one of the best players in our league.”

Latics captain Reuben Hazell is eligible after completing a two-match ban, but he has sustained a back strain in training.

He will be assessed along with midfielder Dean Furman, who picked up an ankle knock in the opening minute of Saturday’s 1-0 defeat at Bristol Rovers.