MK Dons v Crawley preview

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Dele Alli has added to MK Dons’ mounting injury problems for the visit of Crawley.

Alli, who will celebrate his 18th birthday on Friday, is receiving treatment for an unspecified problem and is a doubt ahead of the weekend along with fellow midfielder Stephen Gleeson and forward Dean Bowditch.

Gleeson rolled his ankle in training on Monday while the Dons are still waiting to determine the extent of the hamstring injury Bowditch suffered against Coventry last weekend.

Meanwhile, Lee Hodson (hip), Darren Potter (Achilles) and Ben Reeves (ankle) are progressing well with their recoveries but will not feature again this season.

Crawley will check on Andy Drury ahead of the trip to MK Dons.

Midfielder Drury has missed the last two matches, defeats by Crewe and Brentford, through illness.

Boss John Gregory has no new injury worries and was able to welcome back striker Matt Tubbs against the Bees following three games on the sidelines with a hamstring problem.

But the club are waiting to hear whether defender Paul Connolly faces any punishment from the FA after his altercation with a fan at Griffin Park on Tuesday night.

MK Dons v Crawley preview

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MK Dons have been boosted by Dean Lewington’s return to training ahead of the visit of the Red Devils.

The Dons captain has been out for three weeks after damaging knee ligaments but he resumed light training on Thursday.

Meanwhile, Adam Chicksen, Lewington’s replacement at left-back, missed training on Thursday with an ankle injury. The 22-year-old needed pain-killing injections to get him through the 2-0 home win over Brentford on Monday.

If Chicksen misses out on Saturday then Lewington could be forced to make a sooner-than-anticipated return to the starting line-up.

Striker Izale McLeod (hamstring) remains a doubt while centre-half Antony Kay will serve the last game of his three-match suspension.

Goalkeeper David Martin also remains sidelined with the back injury that has kept him out for almost six weeks.

Crawley will check on Matt Sparrow ahead of the trip to MK Dons.

The midfielder suffered a knock which forced him off after just half an hour of Monday’s 3-0 defeat by Shrewsbury.

Sparrow was replaced by skipper Josh Simpson, who has recently returned after a month out with ankle ligament damage, so he will be in line to start.

Defender Kyle McFadzean remains unavailable as he continues to build up his fitness following a virus.

Boss Richie Barker will be pondering changes after Monday’s setback all but ended their chances of reaching the play-offs this season.

Sergio Torres, Connor Essam, David Hunt, Mike Jones and Aiden O’Brien are among the players pushing for recalls to the starting line-up.