Preview: Oldham Athletic (H)

Dons have no fresh injury concerns for Saturday's vital clash with Oldham Athletic, and are boosted by the return of captain Dean Lewington from suspension. Oldham could face a shortage of goalkeepers, with Greg Fleming struggling.

Skipper Lewington sat out Tuesday night's 1-1 draw with Huddersfield, with Jude Stirling filling in at left-back and turning in an excellent performance. Despite that Lewington should be reinstated straight back into the starting eleven. Danny Swailes remains out with an achilles injury but otherwise manager Roberto Di Matteo has a full defence to choose from, with Miguel Llera and Shaun Cummings both recently returning from injury and illness respectively.

In midfield Luke Chadwick hasn't lasted the full course of the Dons' last two games but should be fit to start, while Jemal Johnson was dropped to the bench for tactical rather than fitness-related reasons on Tuesday night. In attack Tore Andre Flo will miss out with a calf injury but Di Matteo has Aaron Wilbraham, Ali Gerba and Sam Baldock all fit and ready for selection, with the last of those trio scoring his first goal since December on Tuesday night.

Cheltenham forward Ashley Vincent looks to be close to a move but that deal is unlikely to go through in time for Saturday's game, and Vincent will be sidelined for around two weeks with a knee injury regardless.

Oldham will be without goalkeepers Mark Crossley (back) and Greg Fleming (groin) so on-loan 'keeper Jan Budtz will step in for his third appearance. Winger Chris Taylor, who has bagged nine goals from midfield this season, faces a late fitness test, and if ruled out will be replaced by Andy Liddell, who himself has managed eight goals.

Defender Reuben Hazell, who trialled with the Dons nearly two years ago, sits out through suspension so either Stefan Stam or Middlesbrough loanee Seb Hines will start alongside Sean Gregan. In attack, there still appears to be some issues between on-loan Hull striker Dean Windass and manager John Sheridan, as the man who sent Hull to the Premiership with a goal in last season's Championship playoff final is omitted from the squad. The Dons defence will still face a busy day however with 17-goal Lee Hughes set to partner the pacy Steven Kabba, another loanee, this time from Watford.

Like the Dons, Oldham's form of late has been mixed, with only two wins in their last nine seeing them fall to 6th place, and Scunthorpe one point below them ready to jump back into the playoff spots with their game in hand. The two wins were against Northampton and notably a 3-2 away win at Millwall. Since then they have drawn 1-1 against Leeds and lost 0-1 to Colchester, both at home.

Dons go into the game on the back of four straight draws, but are unbeaten in seven matches. After a very disappointing showing at Swindon Dons improved in spells against Huddersfield but were thwarted by a Michael Flynn goal after Baldock had opened the scoring.

There are no former Dons currently plying their trade in Oldham, although as mentioned defender Hazell spent time on trial in Milton Keynes shortly after Paul Ince was appointed as manager. An ex-Latic currently in Milton Keynes is Aaron Wilbraham, who played four matches on loan at Oldham from Hull and bagged two goals.

Earlier in the season at Boundary Park it was Oldham who took all three points, although the 2-0 scoreline flattered the home side. Mark Wright had a penalty saved for the Dons after Lee Hughes had opened the scoring, before Sam Baldock had a delightful goal disallowed for offside. Mark Allott added a second late on to secure the result.

In the 2005/06 season Oldham beat the Dons 0-1 at the National Hockey Stadium, but MK got their revenge later in the season, an Izale McLeod double securing the points in a 2-1 victory. The year prior to that, Oldham won comfortably (0-3) at Boundary Park before a late Gareth Edds goal earned the Dons a point in the reverse.

This weekend's referee will be Mr G D Scott. Mr Scott took charge of his first Championship game of the season on the 3rd of March (QPR v Norwich), but the following weekend was put on the Blue Square South for Hampton and Richmond's 2-1 victory over Eastleigh. This is his first season on the Football League and will be his first Dons match. He will be assisted by Mr A R Parker and Mr W Porter. The fourth official will be Mr I Smedley.