By Rob Cornell
Neil Cox said that the players and coaching staff can't wait to test themselves against league leaders Blackburn tonight – and he called on supporters to play their part.
The Dons and Blackburn need the points for completely different reasons and it promises to be a cracking atmosphere under the lights at the Cherry Red Records Stadium.
Neal Ardley's men will be aiming to continue pulling away from the relegation zone. It would also mean completing the double over Rovers this season, Kwesi Appiah's goal having earned a 1-0 win at Ewood Park back in mid-September. Of course, Joe Pigott's dramatic winner earned a vital victory in Wimbledon's last home game against Bristol Rovers and he is pictured celebrating above.
Blackburn have found their feet in the division, since the defeat last Autumn, and now lead the way by a point at the top in a close battle for the title. Tony Mowbray's side are currently on course for a quick return to the Championship, having dropped down a division last season.
Having won their last three games, Rovers' last defeat came against Plymouth, who have since forced their way into the play-off places.
Quotes
Neil Cox
"We need to make sure everybody gets behind us and we give it a right good go. The boys know how important it is, they've known all season, what we need to do and what points we need to get, especially later on. The boys are working hard, but it's been difficult with one or two injuries lately. The back four had to change around on Saturday, with players in different positions, but they are all having a good go and people are coming into form.
"It's a really good game that we're looking forward to though. When you're playing top of the league at home on a Tuesday night, the fans will get behind us and that's what we need. All the boys are raring to go and want to play in this one. Playing the former Premier League champions at home is what we all look forward to. We put in a good shift on Saturday and we were a little disappointed not to take the three points, but Tuesday night at home to the league leaders – there's nothing better!"
Tony Mowbray
"It's an environment that you have to go into and relish. You can't turn up and moan about the facilities. Wimbledon have built their history on being the underdogs and with Neal Ardley as the manager there, he'll be breeding that feeling amongst his group as well. You have to have total respect for Wimbledon."
Team news
Defender Will Nightingale (knee) has stepped up his return to fitness from a knee injury, but tonight's game will come too soon for him. Fellow centre-back Darius Charles had to miss the game with Peterborough at the weekend and is a doubt.
Midfielder Dean Parrett is back in contention. He clocked up more game time as a second-half substitute in the draw at Peterborough, as he completes his recovery from a hernia injury.
Striker Bradley Dack, who missed the weekend win at Walsall, will be in contention for the game. Both Elliott Bennett and Danny Graham were struck down by illness during the game, but the pair are now fine. Ben Gladwin, Craig Conway and Peter Whittingham have all returned to training, but the game will come too soon for them. Harry Chapman remains Blackburn's the only long-term absentee with a hamstring.
Last meeting
September 16, 2017
Sky Bet League One
Blackburn Rovers 0, AFC Wimbledon 1
Click on the link below to view the highlights
Form Guide
(All competitions, most recent result first)
AFC Wimbledon DWLLLL
Blackburn Rovers WWWDLW
Last time out
Peterborough United 1, AFC Wimbledon 1
Walsall 1, Blackburn Rovers 2
Leading scorers
Danny Graham (Blackburn Rovers) – 15 goals
Lyle Taylor (AFC Wimbledon) – 14 goals
Tickets
Due to the high demand for tickets, our home match tonight against current League One leaders Blackburn Rovers is all-ticket.
Tickets for home areas will only be sold to those supporters who are already registered on the CRM ticketing system and have previously purchased tickets from the club.
Please note that the option to buy Blackburn tickets online will only be visible if you fit the above criteria, but to see this fixture you must log-in to the ticketing system first.
Tickets will be available online today until 3.00 pm.
No tickets will be available to buy on night of the game.
iFollow
If you can't make it to The Cherry Red Records Stadium tonight, then follow the game via iFollow. Our WDON team will be providing live commentary for domestic subscribers. For those overseas, you can watch a live stream of the game. Visit our iFollow section on the official website for more details.