FA YOUTH CUP v MK DONS

The two sides have already met twice in the league this season, sharing the spoils first time round, with the Dons running out 3-1 winners a fortnight ago.

The young U's go into the game on the back of a 4-3 defeat at Luton Town on Saturday with Elliott Hogan, Matt Foy and Jake Chambers-Shaw finding the net.

Looking ahead to the game, Academy Manager, Mark Bonner said: "We're looking forward to what will be a really challenging evening against an established Academy, with an excellent reputation and record of producing talented young players not only for their first-team but for the Premier League and the National Association.  Having played them twice already this season, we are well aware of the threats within their team and how they like to dominate possession."

Bonner continued: "We will have to be at our very best and be resolute defensively to stay in the game, but know we carry a threat of our own and will need to be clinical and creative in our spells of dominance to give us the best chance of progressing to round two."

The Under 18's are preparing for the game with as many as eight scholars unavailable through injury and Bonner knows this will create an even tougher challenge: "With so many players unavailable, the team becomes fairly easy to select.  The team becomes much younger, many of the players will be eligible to play again next year, so the experience of playing in the stadium will be of great benefit to them."

Bonner concluded: "At Cambridge United we love a challenge and I'm certain this group of scholars will rise to it.  We appreciate your support and hope to see as many of you as possible at the game."