Opposition in focus | MK Dons

After Easter Monday's huge 3-0 win away to Crewe Alexandra, Rovers return to The New Lawn for our League Two clash with MK Dons on Saturday.

It was the Dons who took all three points with a 2-0 win in the reverse fixture when Rovers visited the Stadium MK back in December.

Ahead of Saturday’s fixture here is everything Rovers fans need to know regarding our visitors from the dugout to players to watch.

IN THE DUGOUT - MIKE WILLIAMSON

Williamson has enjoyed his first managerial job at MK Dons which has seen him guide his side to a current fourth place.

This success has this week seen the 40-year-old nominated for the EFL League Two Manager of the Season award after picking up 17 wins in his first 29 league games with the Dons.

Williamson took over the job back in October after leaving National League side, Gateshead and his side have gone from strength to strength currently sitting two points off the automatic promotion spots.

PLAYER TO WATCH - MAX DEAN

Ahead of last fixture with the Dons we highlighted the 20-year-old as a player to keep an eye on and that is still something to do this time around.

Along with his manager’s nomination this week, Dean was also shortlisted for the EFL League Two Young Player of the Season award after firing 12 league goals in 25 appearances.

Dean has not long returned from injury only featuring in the previous three games but has picked up where he left off in January netting three times in the previous two games.

JANUARY BUSINESS

Williamson’s side grew even stronger over the January window with a raft of talent entering the Stadium MK doors.

Dan Kemp returned from a successful loan with fellow League Two side Swindon Town, whilst the manager re-united with midfielder Stephen Wearne who signed from Gateshead.

Defender Kyran Lofthouse joined on loan from Barnsley, Aston Villa young shot-stopper Filip Marschall arrived on loan and Leeds United youngster Lewis Bate also signed on loan.

RECENT FORM

01.04.24- Notts County 3-3 MK Dons (Austin 45+1’, Jatta 48’, Nemane 90+1’) (Dean 19’, Harrison 64’, 83’)

29.03.24 - MK Dons 5-0 Walsall (Tezgel 28’, Dean 59’ (P), 78’, Gilbey 62’, Tomlinson 74’)

23.03.24 - Stockport County 5-0 MK Dons (Camps 31’, Madden 36’, Olaofe 45+1’, Lemonheigh-Evans 51’, Byrne 90+5’)

16.03.24 - MK Dons 3-1 Crewe Alexandra (Dennis 5’, 22’, Wearne 25’) (Nevitt 19’)

12.03.24 - Grimsby 1-0 MK Dons (Obikwu 33’)

PREVIOUS MEETINGS

16.12.23 - MK Dons 2-0 Forest Green Rovers (Dean 21’, Payne 35’)

21.01.23 - Forest Green 1-2 MK Dons (Peart-Harris 29’) (Eisa 43’, 51’)

26.12.22 - MK Dons 1-0 Forest Green (Harvie 58’)

30.03.19 - Forest Green 1-2 MK Dons (Williams 63’) (Agard 38’, Martin 87’)

15.09.18 - MK Dons 1-1 Forest Green (Aneke 31’) (Reid 80’)