Stand-in skipper Sean O'Hanlon says the Dons will need to pull together against Hereford tonight to deal with the loss of regular captain Dean Lewington.

Lewington is set to miss Tuesday night's game at stadiummk after suffering an ankle injury in Saturday's 3-0 win at Walsall - a result that lifted the in-form Dons to second in League 1.

As he has done several times in his Dons career, O'Hanlon will take on the leadership duties against the Bulls - happy to deputise in Lewington's absence as the Roberto Di Matteo's side look to make it six league wins in a row.

He told mkdons.com: "It's always good to lead the team out. We're going to miss Lewie - he has a big influence as everyone knows - but hopefully he won't be out for long and I'm happy to fill in for him while he's away.

"Sometimes when games are a bit dead, especially with the way teams set up in our home games, Lewie's trademark tackles or runs can lift the crowd and lift the players.

"We're going to miss him as I said, but we've got a good squad and the talented players to come in for him.

"It's an extra bit of responsibility on my shoulders but I always try to do lift the lads anyway, with or without the armband. I'll be going out there, playing my usual game and trying to lead by example."

Third-from-bottom in the table with only one win in seven, Hereford are likely to make life difficult for the high-flying Dons this evening - a ploy stadiummk regulars have come to expect from visiting sides.

And O'Hanlon reckons patience will be the key to keeping their current excellent run going.

He said: "We've got to be very patient tonight, away from home we've been getting that early goal but it's not always easy to do that at home. Even if it's nil-nil after an hour, we have to be patient and keep believing we'll get that goal. If we can do that we believe we'll come through eventually.

"They are fighting at the moment and they're playing against the team second in the league so it will be a big game for them.

"If we can get an early breakthrough, we should be favourites to go on and win the game so it's important we get the first goal."

With a 10-day break in the schedule to come after tonight's game, Di Matteo's troops will have an ideal opportunity to rest-up ahead of the crucial Christmas period in December.

And O'Hanlon says it's all about staying in shake-up in what has become a very congested top-six.

He said: "It'll be nice to be 19 games in and get a little break, be able to sit back and look at the table and get ready for a busy Christmas period.

"It's very tight up there at the moment. I think Leeds and Leicester potentially could run away with it but credit the sides that have stayed in touch.

"We just need to try and hang in there while we're in good form, keep winning games and it should stand us in good stead."

Tickets for Tuesday night's game will be available to personal callers to the MK Dons Box Office until half-time on matchday. Go to our online seating plan for ticket prices.