The Spireites’ focus returns to the league after a tough afternoon in Devon resulted in a 2-0 defeat against Exeter City and a relatively early end to the 2024/25 FA Cup journey.
As well as the loss, there were several more injuries to further deplete the squad. Paul Cook is likely to be without key figures for the clash at Stadium MK.
Head-to-head
The Spireites have not suffered a loss against MK Dons for over a decade. The defeat came in a 1-0 reverse away from home during the 2014/15 season against a side featuring the likes of Benik Afobe and Dele Alli, with Will Grigg on the bench.
Later that year in the FA Cup, the second round tie between the sides had to be replayed after Georg Margreitter was fielded ineligibly in a 1-0 away win.
The Spireites returned to Buckinghamshire four weeks later to replay the tie, matching the scoreline to progress to the third round with a 1-0 win thanks to a goal from Gary Roberts.
Paul Cook has a strong record against MK Dons, losing only once and remaining unbeaten in the following seven games.
His most emphatic victory was a 5-1 win whilst manager of Wigan Athletic. Will Grigg scored a hat-trick that day and was accompanied in the matchday squad by Chey Dunkley, Michael Jacobs, Gary Roberts and Ryan Colclough.
Scott Lindsey
After earning promotion to the third tier with Crawley last season, Scott Lindsey managed just six League One games with the Red Devils before he joined MK Dons, who are hoping to return to that level after their relegation in the 2022/23 season.
Lindsey helped Crawley narrowly avoid relegation to the National League in the 2022/23 season and led them to play-off glory the following year. They beat his curremt side MK Dons in the semi-finals 8-1 on aggregate before getting the better of Crewe in the final at Wembley.
Player-in-focus
Chesterfield and Walsall are tied at the top of the League Two scoring charts on 30, with MK Dons just behind on 27.
Alex Gilbey leads their goalscoring charts with seven so far and has found the back of the net in his last two games against Swindon and Cheltenham.
The 29-year-old is in his second spell with MK and scored a career-best 14 times in all competitions last season – a statistic he is already halfway to equalling again this time around.
