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ATHLETIC manager Paul Dickov is hoping ring-rustiness doesn’t come into play at MK Dons.

With successive matches against Walsall and Swindon called off due to poor weather, Dickov’s side haven’t played at all this month.

That unwanted sequence will be stretched to Boxing Day if the pitch at stadium:mk — which has been covered overnight to protect against frost this week — doesn’t measure up tomorrow.

Ritchie Jones’s return to full training means that Dickov has a full squad to pick from for the trip south.

And he hopes that the team’s previous good form which took them to the play-off positions hasn’t been put into deep freeze.

“There is always that danger,” admitted Dickov, whose team are unbeaten in five npower League One matches, with only one defeat in the last 10.

“When you have put a run of results together and are playing well, you want the next game to come as quickly as possible.

“That is why we are frustrated that the last two have been off, because you don’t want that when you are in good form like we are.

“We have talked about consistency in results, and the fact we have not had a game for two weeks running is frustrating.

“But you deal with it and get on with it. Other teams are in the same position.

“If anything, it gives you the chance to do a lot more work on the training pitch.

“One thing we will always do is keep the boys bubbly and enthusiastic.

“You go with what you have got and I have said that from day one.”

MK Dons have lost their last three matches but have a very good home record, with only one defeat in the league all season.

After seeing the weather forecast for tomorrow, Athletic chief executive Alan Hardy admitted the fixture is in the balance.

He said: “It is likely to be minus four degrees overnight, and below freezing all day tomorrow, with the possibility of heavy snow.

“MK Dons put the covers down before the frost came, so hopefully that gives us a fighting chance.

“It is down to them to decide if a pitch inspection is required, and when to have it done.”

Dickov has been in contact with the opposing management team in the build-up to the game, including assistant coach and former Manchester City team-mate Didi Hamann.

“There are a good team,” Dickov said of the Dons. “I know Karl Robinson and ‘Der Kaiser’ Didi very well.

“I spoke to them this week and the good thing is, they want the game on at the weekend.

“Some managers at this time of year may want the games off, but Karl doesn’t.”

Dickov and his squad head to the club shop at Spindles shopping centre at 2.30pm on Monday, for a signing session.


ROCHDALE’S npower League One fixture at home to Bournemouth tomorrow has been postponed because of a frozen pitch.