Northampton Town face local rivals MK Dons in the Papa John’s Trophy Round of 16

Northampton Town host their local rivals MK Dons for the second time in two months, this time in the Round of 16 of the Papa John’s Trophy.

Both teams progressed through to the Round of 16 as the top two in the Southern Group C with MK Dons topping the group, one point ahead of the Cobblers.

Northampton Town only lost once in the group stage which was a 3-1 away defeat to MK Dons in September. In the Round of 32, Northampton beat Exeter City 2-1 at St James’ Park while the Dons beat Norwich U21’s 6-1 to advance.

The Dons come into this game undefeated in the last four games against Northampton Town. The most recent defeat to Northampton came in January 2018 with the Cobblers running out as 2-1 victors at the PTS Academy Stadium.

Recent form suggests that Russell Martin’s side are the favourites to progress into the last eight of the competition. Northampton Town in League One have only won once in their last five matches losing three in a row in that period. Their poor vein of form sees them just two points above the relegation place languishing in 21st place.

For MK Dons, they are coming into this match after losing to Premier League side Burnley on penalties in the Third Round of the FA Cup.

In the league, MK Dons have only lost once in their last five fixtures drawing twice and winning two in a row.

In terms of the January transfers, there has been loads of business going on at both clubs. For Northampton Town, midfielder Chris Lines joined League Two Stevenage after only playing four times this season and defender Luka Racic went back to his parent club Brentford as his loan was cut short.

However, there has been interest for young forward Caleb Chukwuemeka who has been linked to many clubs higher up the football league. Chukwuemeka is still on a scholarship contract until 2022.

For MK Dons, they have signed youth prospect right back Ethan Laird on loan from Manchester United for the rest of the season.

Laird came on as a substitute in the FA Cup on Saturday and impressed many Manchester United and MK Dons fans. The full-back, who made his first team debut last season in a Europa group stage, is looking to play enough games this season to build up his experience and fight for a place in the United first team next season.

Team news

Northampton Town manager Keith Curle will be grateful not to have any fitness worries at all before this game. However, they are still without long term absentees Scott Pollock and Joseph Mills.

As for MK Dons, out of a mainly healthy squad, there’s just a single fitness problem which is Ben Gladwin with a knee injury.

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