Paul Warne begins his reign as MK Dons head coach with a home fixture against Newport County on Friday.
At a time when the home side sit in 19th position in the League Two table, Newport are just one place and one point further up the standings.
Match preview
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MK Dons made the surprise announcement on Wednesday that they had appointed former Derby County boss Paul Warne as their new head coach on a long-term contract.
With Warne having several promotions from League One under his belt, it is a major coup for a club that are so low in the fourth-tier table, yet the new manager has an opportunity to build some momentum ahead of 2025-26.
That will not be easy with MK Dons having recorded four successive defeats, also failing to score in their last three outings.
Furthermore, MK Dons have won just twice in 15 matches in League Two, and they are perhaps fortunate that the campaign is nearing a conclusion when they are now within nine points of the relegation zone.
Although Warne will want to start planning for next season, MK Dons must first get over the line mathematically, something that can be achieved with victory this weekend when they boast a superior goal difference to the bottom two.
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Newport find themselves in a similar position to their hosts, prevailing just twice from their most recent 12 contests in League Two.
Nelson Jardim's team have only accumulated one point from their last five games, a 1-1 draw being posted versus Bromley before two further defeats.
Sitting a point ahead of MK Dons, Newport are all but assured of fourth-tier football for next season, but Jardim's position in the dugout is very much under threat.
That is partly due to the club's dismal away record and with just three wins and 13 points from 21 matches, it is the worst return in the division, Newport's last win on their travels coming on February 8.
Team News
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The MK Dons XI is a complete unknown on the back of Warne's arrival, yet he may not make many changes on the back of his new side losing to a 94th-minute goal at Gillingham.
Joe White is someone who could be recalled in a creative role, as may Danilo Orsi if Warne wants to keep the Burton Albion loanee next season.
As for Newport, Kyle Hudlin is among the players who could be recalled after the 2-0 defeat at home to Colchester United.
Kieron Evans and Michael Spellman are also in contention, with Courtney Baker-Richardson at risk of dropping to the substitutes' bench after scoring just twice since the end of August.
MK Dons possible starting lineup:
MacGillivray; Offord, Sanders, Maguire; O'Reilly, Lemonheigh-Evans, Thompson-Sommers, Tomlinson; White, Gilbey; Orsi
Newport County possible starting lineup:
Townsend; Thomas, Clarke, Baker, Glennon; Whitmore, Brennan, K. Evans; Ajiboye, Hudlin, Kamwa
We say: MK Dons 1-1 Newport County
The arrival of Warne will bring about a new buzz at MK Dons, yet it may not impact on their fortunes this week. Therefore, we are backing a low-key draw to play out in Milton Keynes, one which may mathematically guarantee fourth-tier survival for both clubs.
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Darren Plant
