Dons boss Neal Ardley will be without his midfield enforcer this weekend, but one man’s misfortune is another man’s opportunity.

Dannie Bulman picked up his fifth booking of the season in the 3-2 win over Bury, meaning he will miss the trip to the new League Two leaders Wycombe Wanderers on Saturday through suspension.

The 35-year-old has been instrumental in strengthening the Dons proposition, helping guide them to 10th in the table and just one defeat in six in all competitions.

Ardley admitted the timing of Bulman’s absence was unfortunate, however, he also pointed to the positives.

“Yes, it’s a blow, he’s been immense for us,” he said.

“Everyone I speak to cannot believe he’s 35 because he runs around like an 18-year-old.

“But I have no problem with the suspension, he has been magnificent – he is the joker of the pack and you never know when to take him seriously.

“We’ll miss him, but I always believe it is an opportunity now for someone else.

“Who is going to come in and make me think hard?”

He added: “The obvious choice is Jake Nicholson, although Tom Beere’s doing well and he is more natural as a central midfielder.

“We have Andy Frampton, who is chomping at the bit to play, and he can go in midfield if we asked him, like he did at Gillingham – we have a lot of options.”