Eisa starts: The predicted MK Dons XI to face Barnsley on Saturday | OneFootball

Not many would have predicted MK Dons to be battling relegation close to the halfway stage of the 2022-23 League One season, but they have experienced a real comedown since their defeat in the play-offs last season.

The Dons finished just a point behind the automatic promotion spots in 2021-22, but were edged out by Wycombe Wanderers in a two-legged affair.

That is where the rot started for Liam Manning’s side – star attacker Scott Twine was cashed in on and loan players such as Troy Parrott and Theo Corbeanu went elsewhere, and it has left them struggling this season despite fresh additions over the summer.

Quiz: Which club did MK Dons sell these 18 players to?

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Wade Small

Sheffield United Sheffield Wednesday Charlton Bolton Wanderers

After 17 matches, the Dons find themselves in the bottom four of the third tier after 17 matches and the fixtures do not get any easier as they make the trip to South Yorkshire on Saturday to face Barnsley – let’s see how Manning could line his side up against Michael Duff’s men.

The Dons do not have much in the way of squad depth, so Manning doesn’t have too many hard selections to choose from following the 3-1 midweek defeat to Derby County.

Some players on the fringes of the first-team were afforded opportunities in the FA Cup last week against Taunton Town but Manning should probably stick with the nucleus of what he has as on the whole, it is very talented.

The goalkeeper and back five should probably stay the same, with Tennai Watson perhaps the only possible addition ahead of Henry Lawrence following his recent return from injury.

However, the only big debate could come at the top end of the pitch, where Will Grigg could drop out for Mo Eisa.

Grigg returned to the club permanently over the summer and has netted five times in 15 league appearances, but Eisa proved last season that he knows where the back of the net is with 11 goals in 34 matches.

The Sudanese forward has been injured for most of the season, but he has returned with outings from the bench in recent weeks, and with 45 minutes under his belt a few days ago against the Rams, he now may be ready to start a match.