AFTER two long away trips in the last seven days, Karl Robinson has extra reason to look forward to tomorrow’s clash with MK Dons.

Oxford United’s third away game in a week is right on the doorstep of their head coach, who was in charge of the Buckinghamshire side from 2010 to 2016 – his first managerial role.

The U’s go into tomorrow’s match a point and a position above seventh-placed MK, who lost boss Russell Martin to Swansea City six days before the season started.

They appointed Liam Manning in his place and the 36-year-old has enjoyed a promising start to his first Football League campaign.

“I’m made up for them,” Robinson said.

“I went for a run not long ago and they were doing a team-building exercise.

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“I spoke to him (Liam) and he’s a really good person who seems to have found a formula that suits the players they have.

“They’ve changed a little bit, but they’re better.

“It’s always one I look forward to, it’s always the one I need the most tickets for, and that’ll never change.

“I’m going back for probably the first time with a team this united.”

MK are a stylish side full of technically-gifted players, not least midfielder Scott Twine.

The summer signing from Swindon Town has scored nine League One goals this season and added a further seven assists – the most in the division.

Robinson said: “He’s a very good player, his right foot is a wand.

“He’s probably the best dead-ball specialist this league has seen.

“If you want to let him shoot on that right foot from 25 yards you’re asking for trouble.

“Sometimes you watch people let players back on their strong foot, but sometimes the players are that good they’ll manufacture it.

“It’s more about us – we respect them, but we know we’re in a strong place.”

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United have never won at Stadium:MK, although admittedly it is a small sample size.

The first of four visits was in September 2016, when Robinson was in the home dugout, with the game ending 0-0.

The U’s have drawn two of their other three matches at the 30,000-seater ground, most recently when Elliot Lee headed home a 97th-minute equaliser in February.

United also struck late to beat Doncaster Rovers on Tuesday and Robinson is taking heart from that moving forward.

He said: “It was nice to get a late goal.

“When you know teams have got that in them late on with the quality they’ve got, you know you’re never out of a game.

“On Saturday, all aspects of our game will be challenged and we know that.”