Bournemouth v MK Dons preview

Team news ahead of Tuesday night's League One clash between Bournemouth and MK Dons at Dean Court.

Lee Barnard will retain his place in attack for Bournemouth. The Cherries striker signed on loan from Southampton before Saturday's kick-off against Portsmouth and popped up with the equalising goal. Barnard was partnered by Wesley Thomas and Paul Groves is expected to name the same duo up front. Fellow striker Steve Fletcher was left out of the squad for that fixture but is expected to return on the bench. Frank Demouge, Josh McQuoid and Charlie Sheringham all remain sidelined but Tommy Elphick is set to retain his place in defence after a successful comeback from an Achilles problem against Pompey. Richard Hughes is nearing match fitness but is not yet ready. Antony Kay's suspension has left MK Dons short of defensive options. Kay's full debut for the Dons was marred by his late sending off in the 2-0 home win over Oldham on Saturday. The former Huddersfield captain was involved in an off-the-ball incident with Latics striker Robbie Simpson. Kay's three-match ban along with Shaun Williams' (ankle) anticipated three-week absence and Mathias Kouo-Doumbe's injury concern has created a problem for manager Karl Robinson. However, Robinson seems unperturbed by the growing list of absentees, which also includes midfielder Stephen Gleeson, who will serve the second game of his three-match suspension. "We will be fine," he said. "We will be thin on numbers for a few games but it is a long season."