Cambridge City v MK Dons preview

Team news ahead of Friday night's FA Cup first-round tie between Cambridge City and MK Dons at the Pro-Edge Stadium (kick-off 7.30pm).

MK Dons manager Karl Robinson has taken the unusual step of naming his starting XI ahead of the FA Cup trip to Cambridge City. In the build up to the first-round tie, Robinson vowed to take his strongest possible team to the Pro-Edge Stadium on Friday night, as injuries and on-loan QPR winger Angelo Balanta's unavailability have forced his hand. "Daniel Powell is carrying a knock and won't make it, he's about two weeks away, and Charlie MacDonald has the flu, so he's going to be away for a few days," said Robinson at Wednesday's pre-match press conference. "Balanta is cup-tied, Alan Smith received a kick on his ankle against Scunthorpe and Dean Bowditch we aren't sure about yet. "We're going to go as strong as we can. We'll play the same back four [that played in the league game at Scunthorpe], same central midfield players, Luke Chadwick at number 10 and Ryan Lowe will come in up front. Jay O'Shea will play on one side and Adam Chicksen on the other." That means there will be two changes to the side that began last weekend's 3-0 victory at Scunthorpe, with Lowe and O'Shea coming in for Powell and Balanta. Robinson also confirmed that Cambridge-born Chadwick will take over the captaincy for the game from Dean Lewington on his return to his hometown.