Striker Adebayo Akinfenwa

By Oli
March 2 2009

Dons will hope to have Luke Chadwick and Miguel Llera fit for the trip to Sixfields, while Northampton will be missing their top scorer in Adebayo Akinfenwa, as well as three others, but welcome a new signing into the squad.

Doubts remain over Chadwick's fitness after he was hurried back into the team for the top of the table clash against Leicester City. Despite a bright start Chadwick faded and was substituted in the second half, leaving a question mark over whether he will be fit to play two games in four days.

Llera is also a worry for Dons fans, with the centre-back substituted late on on Saturday after seemingly picking up an injury to his foot. Danny Swailes remains sidelined long-term so Jude Stirling will come in in defence if Llera is out.

Otherwise the Dons have no fresh concerns, but Luke Howell is unlikely to be involved after a couple of weeks on the sidelines. Shaun Cummings is fit but unlikely to feature with Carl Regan enjoying an excellent spell of form.

Cobblers striker Akinfenwa, who has bagged 11 goals this season and proved a real handful earlier in the season at stadium:mk, sits out the second match of a four game ban for a clash with Brighton defender Adam Virgo last Tuesday. Also picking up a suspension in that match was captain Chris Doig, who recieved his fifth yellow card of the season, a ban that kicks in seven days after the incident, seeing him miss the Dons fixture.

Also out for Northampton are midfielders Luke Guttridge and Liam Davis, but midfield is a department they have strengthened with the signing of Ikechi Anya on Monday. The 21-year old winger had previously been released by Oxford and Wycombe.

The Dons go into the game on the back of arguably their best performance of the season and one that has spread a real optimism around Milton Keynes. An outstanding Dons side were robbed of three points by a 97th minute free-kick after totally outplaying league leaders Leicester. That made it two draws in a row after a very respectable point away at Tranmere, and five unbeaten.

Northampton picked up a vital three points at struggling Cheltenham Town, winning 1-0, and will hope they are coming out of a slight dip in form which saw them lose four in a row. They are now two unbeaten after drawing with Brighton 1-1 before the victory at Whaddon Road, and sit 16th in the table.

Earlier in the season at stadium:mk it was a Dons side getting to grips with League One that emerged victorious, courtesy of an Aaron Wilbraham goal in the 66th minute.

The two sides had, before this season, never previously met however, with Northampton winning promotion from League Two the year the Dons were relegated to the same division. Links between the two sides are few and far between, with Dons backup 'keeper Nathan Abbey having spent a short period in Northampton, making only five appearances. Winger Jonny Hayes has spent time on loan with both sides, making 11 appearances for each.

The referee for Tuesday's match will be Mr Keith Stroud from Hampshire. Mr Stroud is a Premiership listed referee and last officiated the Dons at Adams Park last season, where despite sending off both Keith Andrews and Lloyd Dyer the Dons held on for a point. He will be assisted by Mr A Newbold and Mr N Bannister. The fourth official will be Mr P Gibbs.