Cooper is looking out for number one

MK Dons boss Karl Robinson questioned the weakened Town team that lined up against Preston on Saturday and said if the same starting XI was fielded for a cup game, questions would be asked.

Robinson was hoping for a favour from Swindon at the weekend as he looked to move his Dons side into the automatic promotion spots at the expense of North End.

Cooper believes his team have earned the right to approach the post-season how they see fit because they have qualified for it with so many games left to play.

The County Ground chief’s only concern at this point is his team and their preparation for May 7. Ahead of the trip to relegation strugglers Colchester Cooper once again affirmed his position.

“I think they realise that initially we’ve got to do what we can for ourselves and make sure we’re right for the play-offs,” he told the local media. “I think we deserve that opportunity because we’ve earned it. We’ve had a good season, finished in the play-offs zone and deserve to prepare properly for it.

“It’s difficult when it comes down to one game. They’ve had 45 or 46 games to get promoted or get safe; it’s not our problem.”

Although Cooper admitted it is more exciting to go into the final day with something to play for it seems he would prefer to be in the position Town are in with their fate secure.

“Look at MK Dons,” he added. “They could have won maybe nine games on the spin and not get promoted on Sunday. They could be hugely deflated going into the play-offs.”