Callum Ainley is rated as a major doubt for the weekend visit of Oxford United after receiving a nasty gash on his ankle. The attacking midfielder had only replaced Tom Lowery late on a substitute at Stadium MK before a late challenge inflicted the cut on his ankle.

Ainley was able to leave the stadium without the aid of crutches yesterday, but was clearly in discomfort. The ankle will be severely bruised and although he will receive the necessary treatment this week, the 23-year-old will face a race against time to be fit and available for the U’s this Saturday.

It would be another set-back for the talented youngster after only just returning from the hamstring injury he sustained against Cheltenham Town in the FA Cup back in November.