MK
Dons will have to show the belief of former player Dele Alli when Chelsea
visit in Sunday's FA Cup fourth round.
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.
Karl Robinson's side have recent pedigree in cup competitions, having
knocked Manchester United out of the Capital One Cup last season, and can
take heart from the meteoric rise of Alli, who has thrived since moving to
Tottenham from Milton Keynes last summer.
Alli has refused to be cowed by more established Premier League stars with
Spurs and midfielder Darren Potter says MK Dons must treat Chelsea as
equals, too.
Potter said: "Dele's a prodigious talent. He's shown his fearlessness
already.
"I don't think the ability and the composure of the lad comes as any
surprise to anybody that knows him here, just how rapidly he's risen to play
for England and score his first goal.
"We have to respect Chelsea as much as possible. We're also on a level
playing field when we go out there, so we'll be doing everything we can to
try to get a result."
Robinson reckons scouts are circling after the performances of Alli and
Leicester's Jamie Vardy in the top flight this season, following their
emergence from the lower leagues.
"There are some really talented individuals knocking around," said Robinson,
whose side were promoted to the Championship last term.
"It's an element which has been overlooked for a few years and maybe people
are taking note at the moment."
Asked if MK Dons have another Alli in their midst, Robinson said: "If we
had, our chairman (Pete Winkelman) would be doing cartwheels.
"We always knew that we had a very talented individual on our hands. He's
just gone on from strength to strength and become a top, top player."
MK Dons have work to do to preserve their Championship status. They lost 3-1
to Bolton last Saturday and are just two points clear of the relegation
zone.
"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," Robinson added.
Arguably the biggest upset in recent history was Bradford's 4-2 win over
Chelsea at the same stage last season, when the League One side came from
2-0 down to win at Stamford Bridge against the future Premier League
champions.
Chelsea have lurched from one crisis to another this season, but there are
signs of stability under interim boss Guus Hiddink, who replaced Jose
Mourinho last month and steered the Blues to victory at title-chasing
Arsenal last Sunday as part of an eight-match unbeaten run.
Robinson will take confidence from the United win and encourage his players
to execute his game plan in a contest where MK Dons have nothing to lose.
"We know if they're at their best they can beat anybody in the world,"
Robinson added.
"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 playmaker Eden Hazard could start for the first time in four weeks
on Sunday.
Diego Costa is fit to feature despite suffering a knee problem in last
week's Premier League win at Arsenal, but fellow striker Loic Remy (calf) is
a doubt.
Striker Radamel Falcao (thigh) remains out and imminent deals for Alexandre
Pato and Matt Miazga are unlikely to be completed in time for them to
feature.
Chelsea (from): Courtois, Begovic, Ivanovic, Fabregas, Zouma, Rahman, Oscar,
Mikel, Traore, Kenedy, Pedro, Remy, Costa, Matic, Willian, Cahill, Terry,
Azpilicueta, Amelia, Aina, Loftus-Cheek.
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