AFC Wimbledon start the first of three big challenges in a week tonight as they welcome Walsall to The Cherry Red Records Stadium.

With Sunderland and West Ham United both coming to south London over the next seven days Walsall’s visit will provide a stern test for the unbeaten Dons.

Last season Wimbledon came from two goals down at half time to claim a vital three points at Walsall.

Wimbledon midfielder Liam Trotter said: “They’ll want to get one over us after last year, the game that ultimately kept us safe.

“But we’re both in a different position now, we’ve got new players, they’ve got new players, and it’s just another opportunity for us to go out and put in another good performance.”

Tonight’s match, the first under the lights this season, will also be an opportunity to pay tribute to former captain Jon Meades who was forced to retire after a persistent ankle injury.

Trotter continued: “It was a huge shock, no one saw it coming, least of all Jon, it hit the group hard because he’s a team mate and it wasn’t something that was planned and it was forced upon him which is never nice.

“I think as a group we came together after that and Jon helped us with that, assuring us he will be ok.

“It’ll be great if we can go out there and put in a performance and get the win, and we can then dedicate that to Jon, but firstly it’s about the performance.

Walsall currently sit three places higher than Wimbledon in fifth after winning two and drawing one of their opening three league games.