Karl Robinson: MK Dons have nothing to lose against Chelsea
MK Dons manager Karl Robinson has told his players to grasp their opportunity as they face Chelsea in the fourth round of the FA Cup.
The Dons are mired in a fight for their Championship future as they prepare to play the Premier League champions in a first competitive fixture.
Robinson's side have recent pedigree in cup competitions, having knocked Manchester United out of the Capital One Cup last season, and will hope to hand the Blues another fourth-round humbling following their 4-2 defeat against League One Bradford at the same stage last year.
Robinson said: "We understand we'll be climbing a mountain, we understand we're certainly the underdogs, by a long way, but the FA Cup has thrown in a few strange results before, so you just don't know.
"We know if they're at their best they can beat anybody in the world.
"It's a free game, to an extent, and a wonderful experience as well. It's very rare you go into a game just to be able to enjoy it."
Striker Nicky Maynard (hamstring) is a major doubt, while Matthew Upson (hamstring), Ben Reeves (thigh) and Carl Baker (ankle) are out.
George Baldock has returned following his loan spell at Oxford, but is cup-tied after featuring in their win over Swansea.
Chelsea could be lining up with Eden Hazard in their side for the first time under boss Guus Hiddink.
Hazard, who has not scored for Chelsea since May, has recovered from a groin injury.
Hiddink hopes Hazard and his fellow midfielders can help ease the goalscoring burden from Diego Costa who has six goals in six games after a prior fallow spell under Jose Mourinho, including netting last Sunday's decisive strike in the Premier League win at Arsenal.
"Diego is delivering beyond expectations," Hiddink said.
"He's of huge importance for us. We're depending a lot on him, too much sometimes.
"It might be a big burden on (Costa), which is why I'm saying: 'Hey guys, it's not just Diego who has to deliver the goals.' Other players I like to see deliver as well."
Chelsea have added Brazil international Alexandre Pato to their squad, but it is unclear whether when he will be deemed ready to take to the field.
However, Hiddink insists the signing is not a risk, and with Radamel Falcao and Loic Remy having fitness issues and uncertain futures at Chelsea, the interim boss sees Pato as a back-up to Costa.
"It's not a gamble," said Hiddink.
"I said we are short of strikers, of available strikers, so I said let's go for it.
"The green light was mine. Coming on loan makes it possible to have a good view on him, whether he is able to adapt to the high demands of the club and the league."
Source: PAR
