Rotherham United have been riddled with niggles throughout pre-season, taking extra precautions to ensure full fitness for the opening day. However, Farrend Rawson will not link up with his loan club until Tuesday after returning to the iPro for rehab. Despite his only stretching his legs for the first time since the 2014/15 close campaign, Lewis Buxton is in contention but it is likely that Greg Halford will be safeguarding the right-flank with whispers of the utility player being granted captaincy, coupled with positive performances in friendlies and immense arm strength that can produce wicked long throws. Joe Mattock will go toe-to-toe with namesake and latest recruit, Joe Newell, for the opposite full-back jersey with the former also living up to his reputation as injury prone. This should allow Aidy White’s pace to be utilised in a more attacking role, thankfully. In support, Kelle Roos’ promising pre-season and efforts in keeping Adam Collin from the number one jersey for yet another season indicate he will be between the sticks. This will come much to the New York Stadium faithful’s delight, several of whom their their Wembley hero beaten disappointing from range by a mediocre Scottish outfit just weeks ago. Danny Ward looks set to return and fight off Chris Maguire’s designs on a start in his preferred striker role.

Unlike Saturday’s opponents, Rotherham have replaced their aces in Ben Pringle, Kari Arnason and Craig Morgan with equally talented assets such as Aidy White, Danny Collins and Tom Thorpe respectively. Whereas the London-based club they are set to come up against have failed in finding adequate replacements for the likes of Will Grigg and Deli Alli, both of whom played a major part in the Dons promotion push last season. Although they did adjust accordingly to life after Benik Afobe, sealing automatics despite his departure so perhaps they will still pull it out it the bag. In similar fashion, both modest budget squads will yet be looking to gain numbers, Steve Evans’ men in particular expecting a Premier League pedigree arrival once 2015/16 is underway.

The home side will have an air of confidence going into the first affair of the 2015/16 campaign, having won five, lost two, and drawn one of their pre-season friendlies. One victory came against Bundesliga opposition, FSV Mainz who have ‘top six aspirations’ back in Germany. However, both sides remain unsurprisingly tipped for the drop zone with Rotherham having flirted with the bottom last season and Karl Robinson’s side a newly promoted team, as is the often case with second tier newcomers.

Both managers left a lasting impression upon the other following an exchange in which the visiting gaffer’s opinion of his Championship rivals was not a pleasant one, two last gasp goals on the final fixture of the 2013/14 campaign for the Millers to see out a two-all statement leaving a sour taste in the latter’s mouth. His opposite number will most likely respond in typical style and three points come five o’clock tomorrowafternoon will certainly do the business. Already the Scot should be the favourite to see out a victory in spite of an unhealthy head-to-head record on paper for his side who are yet to beat MK in their history. The two did share goals aplenty in their last season residing in the same division and the fans will be hoping for similar affairs this time around. Although, there will be a considerable amount more in red and white, perhaps a contributing factor, with United renowned for packing their own fans into their South Yorkshire home and scrimping on seats for the away support which, as a fellow season ticket holder, I have no issue with!

Matt Derbyshire will be key in this encounter, with the Reds dependent on getting their star striker off the mark in order to see him go on yet another run. It’s evident that with a bit of confidence, the goals keep flowing. It’d be nice to see another 20-yard curler but for now we’d take one of his typical tap-ins like the poacher that he is. How the 29-year-old adapts to life alongside Chris Maguire could be something to look out for, having worked so well with the physique of target-man, Conor Sammon and the springs that are the legs of Danny Ward. Joe Newell should be watched closely also, for it will be intriguing new to see whether he can maintain that consistency that he supposedly lacks. Particularly now that the deal is done and dusted, with the left-back-cum-midfielder over the line and tied down to a three-year contract. I know I’d rather he was the player than wiped the board with Posh’s end of year awards, though.

Possible starting XI: Roos, Halford, Thorpe, Collins, Newell; Ledesma, Smallwood, G.Ward, White; Maguire, Derbyshire.

Prediction: Rotherham United 3-1 MK Dons

Derbyshire, Ledesma and G.Ward for Rotherham United

Hall for MK Dons