What to expect as League 1 MK Dons make the trip to Ascot United

Ascot United celebrate scoring against Bracknell Town. Photo: Neil Graham.
Ascot United celebrate scoring against Bracknell Town. Photo: Neil Graham.

Enter your email address to receive regular Berkshire football updates in your inbox

We’ve reached out to MK Dons ahead of their eagerly anticipated trip to Ascot United in the Berks & Bucks County Senior Cup on Wednesday night to find out what sort of side will be headed to the Racecourse Ground.

Antoni Fruncillo has kindly (and patiently) answered all our questions, so here goes!

From the top

MK Dons first team is managed by former Scotland and Hearts defender Robbie Neilson and currently lie 13th in EFL League One following a 1-1 draw at home to Southend United on Tuesday evening. It’s unlikely Neilson will be in attendance BUT we thought the same the last time the Dons headed to East Berkshire when they were managed by Roberto Di Matteo.

Who’s in charge in the County Cup?

The man in the Dons dugout on Wednesday night at Ascot will be Senior Phase Development Coach Edu Rubio, who is also the under 18s and under 23s manager.

Rubio is a former Chilean international winger or striker who made 14 appearances for the national team between 2004 and 2008 and played to the likes of Colo Colo, Cruz Azul and Swiss side FC Basel.

MK Dons coach Edu Rubio. Photo supplied by MK Dons.
MK Dons coach Edu Rubio. Photo supplied by MK Dons.
Who are the players to look out for?

Antoni tells us the Dons squad will be made up of young professionals and under 18s with players like Sam Nombe, Hugo Logan, Giorgio Rasulo and Oran Jackson expected. All four have featured in the Dons first team this season.

Related: Here’s the County Cup Quarter Final draw as it stands

Who are they?

Sam Nombe: A 19-year-old forward who signed professional terms with MK in the summer and has played six times for the first team this season. Twice in League 1, twice in the League Cup and twice in the Checkatrade Trophy.

Hugo Logan: 19-year-old midfielder who also signed professional forms in the summer. Has made three appearances for the first team in the Checkatrade Trophy.

Giorgio Rasulo: 20 year old midfielder who made his senior debut for the Dons in 2012 and has played for both England under 16 and 17 sides.

Oran Jackson: 19-year-old defender who made his senior debut during the Dons ill-feted 2015/16 Championship campaign and last season spent time on loan at National League South side Hemel Hempstead Town.

Any senior squad members expected?

It’s unlikely there will be any regular members of the League 1 squad on the pitch, what with them playing Southend on Tuesday night and a long away day to Doncaster Rovers coming up on Saturday.

FiB photographer Neil Graham will be in attendance though so do pop over and say hello if you get a chance! Kick off at Ascot Racecourse is 7.45pm. Entry is priced at £6 adults and £4 concessions while under-16s go free. Entry can be paid for on the gate ahead of kick-off.

%CODEfooter%

Football in Berkshire has a Breaking News WhatsApp Channel where we’ll send you updates on all the latest football news from the Royal County. You can join Breaking Berkshire Football News by clicking here

Upcoming fixtures

Thursday 28th March 2024

Slough Town FC Ladies19:45Tilehurst Panthers Women

Friday 29th March 2024

Show all fixtures

Subscribe to the newsletter

Enter your email address to receive regular Berkshire football updates in your inbox

Leave a Reply

Search Football in Berkshire
FIB-Badgetransparent-dud.png