19-year-old midfielder Barnes, who joined the Buckinghamshire outfit on loan until the end of the season back in January, has been a revelation under Dons manager Robbie Neilson. After a three-goal lead had been narrowed in the Midlands, Barnes struck in the 85th minute for his adopted side.
Before Christmas, Barnes appeared for City’s first-team in the UEFA Champions League group stage at FC Porto’s Estádio do Dragão. The young midfielder held his own against established internationals including Rúben Neves, Héctor Herrera and Yacine Brahimi to make an impressive 14-minute cameo.
That followed a breakthrough year for Barnes among Steve Beaglehole’s Development Squad. Barnes scored five goals in 10 matches in Premier League 2 while adding another two in the UEFA Youth League group stage. It was clear that the Countesthorpe-based midfielder had a bright future.
Neilson acted quickly and procured Barnes for his Dons squad at the beginning of the year. Since then, neither manager nor player have looked back. Despite a challenging start to 2016/17 under previous management, MK Dons finished the season in the top half and can look forward with optimism.
Meanwhile, both Matty James and Tom Lawrence featured for Barnsley and Ipswich Town over the weekend. James played for 90 minutes as the Tykes drew 1-1 with Burton Albion at Oakwell while Lawrence was replaced after 64 minutes during Ipswich’s 1-0 defeat by Sheffield Wednesday.