MK Dons have problems in defence and attack ahead of their Johnstone’s Paint Trophy area final second leg against Saints tonight.

Paul Ince’s side, who lost Jason Puncheon to Saints in the transfer window, will be without top scorer Jermaine Easter.

They could also be missing David McCracken as they attempt to turn around a 1-0 first leg deficit to reach Wembley.

Easter, who has scored 17 goals in all competitions for the Dons this season, is suspended after picking up his tenth booking of the campaign in his side’s 3-1 win over Stockport at the weekend.

McCracken is a major doubt after picking up a calf injury which forced him off at half-time at Edgeley Park.

The Dons are already missing centre halves Mathias Doumbe, ex-Saint Darren Powell and Sean O’Hanlon through injury.

It means they may have to field a makeshift central defensive pairing of Dan Woodards and Jude Stirling.

In addition, loanee winger Andros Townsend, who scored at Stockport, is cup tied.

Ince said: “I’ll see what players we have got and make some decisions.”

Like Saints, the Dons had to battle on a very heavy pitch at the weekend and Ince is concerned that fatigue may play a part tonight.

“It’s a horrible game because the (Stockport) pitch has taken a lot out of the lads’ legs,” he said.

Ince, though, added: “We have got nothing to fear, nothing to lose.”

“They are expected to go through but we will just see what happens.”

Easter’s suspension means Aaron Wilbraham will have to lead the line.

The Dons are bound to be fired up tonight after their anger at Saints celebrations after the 1-0 win at stadium:MK in the first leg, something for which Alan Pardew did apologise.

After that game Ince’s assistant, Karl Robinson, fumed: “The cup tie’s still alive, trust me it’s still alive.

“The way they celebrated at the end of the game, we told our players to have a little look.

“The game’s not over and some of their players acted tonight like it was game over.

“It’s far from over.”