Boss Curle has 'no regrets' over decision to field strongest team in Dons defeat despite injuries

Curle put out close to his strongest available XI at Stadium MK but it backfired when Joseph Mills, Harry Smith and Luka Racic all had to be replaced before the start of the second-half.

All three will now face a battle to make Saturday's opening League One game of the season against AFC Wimbledon.

"I don't have any regrets over the team selection because every game that we go into, I will be competitive and I will put out in my mind a competitive team," said Curle.

"That's nothing to do with being respectful or disrespectful towards the competition, it's purely about it being an opportunity for me and the players to represent the football club and every opportunity we get, we will be competitive."

The games itself saw Joseph Mills blast the Cobblers into an early lead before Regan Poole, Sam Nombe and Matthew Sorinola turned things around as MK Dons ran out 3-1 winners.

"I don't like it," said Curle. "But it's that just me - I never like losing!

"I said to the players when we were in the dressing room, as and when we do lose, we've got to learn.

"I thought we started the game okay and caused them a few problems. Harry Smith had a great chance and Millsy took the goal exceptionally well and then we just needed to tighten it up a little bit.

"A bit of fatigue from the efforts on Saturday kicked in but there was lots of things that we can take out of the game."