Capital One Cup preview: Southampton visit MK Dons

Southampton will make the trip to MK Dons tonight for the first time since their League One days in an effort to progress to the fourth round of the Capital One Cup. <!-- ######## START FLOATED VIDEO SNIPPET ######## -->

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Saints reached the quarter finals of the competition last year before succumbing to a disappointing away defeat to Sheffield United in a big cup upset. In the cup run of 2014, Southampton knocked out the likes of Arsenal, Stoke and Millwall all away from home.

With an indifferent start to the season, Ronald Koeman may well use this competition to get some positive momentum running within his Saints side - a tool effectively used last year.

MK Dons presently sit 20th in the Championship after enjoying promotion last year. But, as the 2014-15 Capital One Cup showed, you should not rest on your laurels against lower league opposition.

The Dons could welcome new signing Nicky Maynard to the first team fold, but will be without Harry Hickford.

Southampton could well see the return of Ryan Bertrand after he underwent knee surgery back in June. Bertrand successfully completed 45 minutes for Southampton's Under-21s against Reading in a 2-5 away win. Saints, however, will be without the likes of Jordy Clasie, Fraser Forster and Florin Gardos through injury.