Published: 20/11/2009 00:00 - Updated: 08/12/2009 17:54

Southend United vs MK Dons

PREVIEW

SOUTHEND

League One

Friday, November 19

Roots Hall KO 7.45pm

Dean Lewington will return for the Dons tonight for their League One encounter with Southend United.

The skipper has missed two games through suspension and his addition will be a welcome boost for Paul Ince's men as they look to bounce back from the 5-1 defeat at Charlton last week.

Top goal scorer Jermaine Easter and midfielder Stephen Gleeson are also back with the Dons after international duty.

Despite the drubbing to Charlton, Lewington says spirits in the Dons camp are still high and the team are keen to respond in style.

He said: "It's been two games out now and I'm looking forward to playing.

"When the team's winning it's not so bad you can sit there and enjoy the performance and look at it as a supporter but when you losing it's very difficult. You want to get out there and help your team mates - it's very frustrating watching.

"I think it was a little bit harsh but we lost 5-1 and that's the fact. I don't think our performance was that bad and there were positives to take out of it.

"There's different characters in the team and that's the Gaffer's job to work out which player needs what. All the players want to get out there and rectify what happened."

Southend have never taken a point from the Dons in their previous six meetings, and the last three encounters have all ended in 2-0 victories for the Dons but Lewington isn't taking that for granted.

He added: "Not sure if it really counts, that sort of stuff is pre-game stuff. When you're out there if you go one-nil behind you don't think 'well we've never lost here so it's not going to happen'.

"We know they're decent at home, they've got a good record so we go there knowing it's going to be a difficult game."

The loss to Charlton, with such a heavy score line, has raised doubts as to whether fourth placed Dons can continue a realistic promotion push this season, and even Lewington has admitted the club are currently punching above their weight.

He said: "I think Leeds and Charlton, Southampton and Norwich are a step away from us with the resources that they have, we just can't compete with.

"At the moment we're punching above our weight a little bit and we're going to make a few mistakes.

"I think it will take a while before we are on that level playing field but that's where we want to get to and we want to compete with these teams."

Southend currently sit in 13th place in the league and will be looking for a response themselves after losing 1-0 at Yeovil at the weekend.

Log-on to www.mk-news.co.uk for a full match report at the final whistle.