James Tavernier out to silence the Dons after his switch from Toon to Town

The 21-year-old full-back, who is on loan at Shrewsbury Town from Premier League giants Newcastle United, spent a valuable seven game spell at Stadium MK last year.

But he will aiming to play a major role in their downfall tomorrow should he get the nod from boss Graham Turner for Town's all-important League One curtain-raiser.

Tavanier has understandably seen his appearances in Newcastle's star-studded first team limited to just nine games during his four years as a professional there.

But he has supplemented those fleeting, albeit glamorous appearances, with more than 40 further matches for non-league Gateshead as well as Sheffield Wednesday, Carlisle and tomorrow's opponents in League One.

Tavanier remains grateful for the experience gleaned from all of those outings, but he is firmly focused on helping Turner's ambitious side get off to the flying start needed to kick-start a promotion push.

He said: "MK Dons were great. When I went down I played a few games.

"I picked up an injury which took us out maybe three-four weeks. But I came back and played another game and got called back to Newcastle. But the time I spent there was good.

"I still remember most of the lads and (manager) Karl Robinson as well.

"It will be fun to play against them but hopefully we can get a good result. it is important for us to get off to a good start."

"Obviously we are hoping to keep a clean sheet. That it the aim thing for a defender. "MK do keep the ball really well but hopefully there will be a lot of goals from us."

Having graced the Europa League and Premier League stages during his few appearances for the Toon, the prospect of another stint in League One could be seen as treading water for a player keen to stake a claim in Alan Pardew's senior squad.

But Tavanier sees the bigger picture and he would be happy to extend his stay in Shropshire beyond the solitary month of his current loan period if both clubs agree to it.

He said: "This season my aim is to get as many games as I can and hopefully knock on the gaffer's door at Newcastle."

"I would definitely be open to staying at Shrewsbury longer. It just comes down to both clubs. I'm happy to play loads of games here. I am up for it.

"I got the call from (Newcastle first team coach) Steve Stone saying Shrewsbury wanted me on loan straight away and they wanted me to play in a pre-season game against Birmingham last week to see how it was. And straight away I was really pleased with the team and how they played that night. That really attracted me.

"League One is a really good standard. It is really competitive and the best thing for me was to come down here and play games."

Tavanier will have competition for a place in Turner's first competitive squad of the season though.

Only on-loan striker Akwasi Asante (hamstring) is ruled out of contention for the game while influential winger Jon Taylor is expected to be fit having shaken off an ankle injury.

MK Dons meanwhile will be missing last season's 12-goal joint top scorer Dean Bowditch (groin) but goalkeeper David Martin looks likely to retain his starting role after missing the last three months of last season through injury.