Milton Keynes Dons boss Paul Ince will be boosted by the return of three key players for the Friday night trip to Southend United.

Captain Dean Lewington will come back in at left-back after a two-game suspension while midfielder Stephen Gleeson and striker Jermaine Easter are available again after international duty with Republic of Ireland Under-21s and Wales respectively.

Winger Martin Devaney is still struggling with the after-effects of a dead leg and will not be involved so Lewis Gobern and Jemal Johnson will battle it out for a place on the right-hand side.

Jude Stirling is back in light training as he looks for fitness after his groin injury and Sean O'Hanlon remains a long-term absentee after knee surgery in pre-season.

The match kicks off at 7.45pm.