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MK DONS: PRE-MATCH ANALYSIS

Posted on: Mon 14 May 2012

Town are 90 minutes away from a second consecutive League 1 Play-Off final appearance after notching an impressive two goal victory over MK Dons in the first leg of the Play-Off semi-final.

Goals from Jordan Rhodes and Jack Hunt ensured that Town headed back to Huddersfield with a handy two goal cushion.

The Dons did create a couple of chances and twice forced Ian Bennett into smart saves. Karl Robinson's men have won ten games away from home this season and are still a massive threat despite their disadvantage at this stage in the tie.

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HEAD TO HEAD

Last meeting: npower League 1, Saturday 12 May 2012; MK Dons 0 Huddersfield Town (Jordan Rhodes 32; Jack Hunt 73)

First meeting: npower League 1, Saturday 23 October 2004; Huddersfield Town 3 (Pawel Abbott 3, 45; Junior Mendes 45) Milton Keynes Dons 1 (Ben Chorley 86)

As the Dons only formed in 2004, clashes between the two sides have been limited but the Terriers have enjoyed the better of the encounters to date - winning six games compared with four draws and three wins for MK Dons.

TEAM NEWS - TOWN

Town picked up a number of knocks against the Dons on Saturday. Both Calum Woods (toe) and Scott Arfield (ankle) were forced off during the game and are doubts ahead of Tuesday night.

Peter Clarke recovered from a knock to the head and is likely to be fit for the clash, as is Lee Novak who was struggling towards the end of the game.

Simon Grayson will definitely be without Gary Naysmith who is still suffering with knee and ankle problems.

TEAM NEWS - MK DONS

Alan Smith 320

Top scorer: Dean Bowditch, 14

Most assists: Dean Bowditch, 14

Most appearances: David Martin, 55

Most fouls: Jabo Ibehre, 65

Midfielder Luke Chadwick picked up a knock ahead of the first leg on Saturday and missed the game, however, Mathias Doumbe returned to the bench after missing a number of games through injury.

MK Dons' most recent starting line-up:

Saturday 12 May vs. Town (H), npower League 1

GK David Martin

DL Dean Lewington (c)

DC Shaun Williams

DC Tom Flanagan

DR Adam Chicksen

MC Darren Potter

MC Stephen Gleeson

AML Daniel Powell

AMC Charlie MacDonald

AMR Dean Bowditch

S Alan Smith

MANAGER - KARL ROBINSON

Karl Robinson 320

At just 31 years old, Dons manager Karl Robinson is one of the youngest managers in the Football League.

A big, powerful centre half during a fruitful career in non-league football, Robinson coached at Liverpool's Academy before joining Blackburn Rovers as a coach in the senior setup. A move to MK Dons as Assistant Manager to Paul Ince followed before he was promoted to manager in May 2010, appointing John Gorman as his assistant.

A fifth placed finish followed in Robinson's first season until Peterborough United defeated them over two legs of the semi-final but this season the Dons have replicated that feat, setting up Saturday's clash with the Terriers.

KEY PLAYER - DEAN BOWDITCH

Dean Bowditch 320

With 14 goals and 14 assists to his name, Bowditch is one of several Dons players to keep a close eye on this weekend.

The 25 year-old is a striker by trade, but often plays off the flank in the Dons' 4-2-3-1 formation and links up well with the central striker. A former teammate of Town's Jordan Rhodes in the Ipswich Town youth team, he made almost 100 appearances for them before being released in the summer of 2009.

Joining Yeovil Town, he made a name for himself as one of the most potent strikers at League 1 level over two seasons due to his eye for goal and clever movement before joining the Dons in the summer.

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MK Dons pre match 320
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