MK Dons v Huddersfield preview

Team news for Saturday's first leg of the League One play-off semi-final between MK Dons and Huddersfield at Stadium:MK (kick-off 12:30pm).

Last Updated: 12/05/12 at 12:12   

MacKenzie: Set for return to squad

MacKenzie: Set for return to squad

Karl Robinson expects to welcome back Gary MacKenzie for this crucial clash.

The centre-back missed the Dons' final-day defeat to Walsall through illness but should be fit for selection.

Luke Chadwick picked up a knock in that fixture after replacing Adam Chicksen but is also expected to recover in time.

Defender Mathias Doumbe has missed several games through injury recently and could remain sidelined.

Leading scorer Dean Bowditch is fit and is set to lead the line with Charlie MacDonald.

Former Leeds striker Alan Smith, currently on-loan from Newcastle, is also fit and is likely to keep his place behind the front men.

Meanwhile, Huddersfield striker Jordan Rhodes is expected to return to the starting line-up.

Rhodes, who has scored 38 goals in all competitions this season, has been rested in Town's last two matches after manager Simon Grayson said he had appeared jaded.

Kallum Higginbotham has started alongside Lee Novak in his absence, but Rhodes stepped off the substitutes' bench for the last quarter of an hour in Town's final game of the regular season against Yeovil.

Fellow striker Alan Lee, also rested in the last two games after recovering from a knee injury, will return to contention, leaving Grayson with a dilemma as to who to start with up front at stadiummk.

Midfielder Anton Robinson, winger Gary Roberts and defender Tom Clarke are all pushing for recalls, while Grayson can call on defenders Nathan Clarke, Liam Ridehalgh and Murray Wallace, plus midfielder Matt Crooks following their return from respective loan spells.

Grayson, bidding for his third promotion from League One, has no new injury or suspension problems.

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npower League 1

Position Team P GD PTS
1 Doncaster 46 18 84
2 Bournemth 46 23 83
3 Brentford 46 15 79
4 Yeovil 46 15 77
5 Sheff Utd 46 14 75
6 Swindon 46 33 74
7 Leyton Or 46 7 71
8 MK Dons 46 17 70
9 Walsall 46 7 68
10 Crawley 46 1 68
11 Tranmere 46 10 67
12 Notts Co 46 12 65
13 Crewe 46 -8 64
14 Preston 46 5 59
15 Coventry 46 7 55
16 Shrewsbury 46 -6 55
17 Carlisle 46 -21 55
18 Stevenage 46 -17 54
19 Oldham 46 -13 51
20 Colchester 46 -21 51
21 Scunthorpe 46 -24 48
22 Bury 46 -28 41
23 Hartlepool 46 -28 41
24 Portsmouth 46 -18 32

Updated Sat, 27 Apr 2013

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