Sam Nombe

19/20 Games/Goals: 4/1

After spending his teenage years out on loan, the young striker has returned in great form to his parent club this season, and looks the type of player that could concern a shaky Sunderland defence.

Loans to Oxford City and Maidenhead United last season appear to have benefited the young Milton Keynes striker, with his form in the early part of the campaign cause for excitement amongst MK fans this season.

Pacey and strong, Nombe shows an unpredictability often seen in young players, but far from being a hindrance to the Croydon-born striker, it appears to benefit him greatly, as fellow League One sides have found out this term.

Russell Martin

19/20 Games/Goals: 7/1

It wasn’t long ago that the former Scotland international was a Premier League regular, and whilst he’s far from the player he once was, experience and nous goes a long way in the third tier.

Now 33, Martin has seen it all. He is one of very few players to have played and scored at every level of English football (and the Scottish Premier League) and has amassed almost 500 league appearances.

He will sit in the middle of the Milton Keynes back three, offering a calm and experienced presence. If Jack Ross opts for Charlie Wyke as his lone frontman this Saturday, it could play into Martin’s hands and the target man will be in for a real battle.

Jordan Houghton

19/20 Games/Goals: 7/2

Part of Chelsea’s academy since the age of eight, Houghton has been a key performer since his side’s promotion from League Two last season.

Despite being aged just 23, he has plenty of experience at this level, appearing for Doncaster Rovers and Gillingham as a teenager. However, it is at Stadium MK where he has shown his best form.

A former England under-20 international, he’s one of the first name’s on Paul Tisdale’s team sheet. Confident on the ball, the midfielder possesses a good range of passing and, as showcased in MK’s impressive 3-0 win at Blackpool, a keen eye for goal.