Di Matteo was pleased with his side's performance at Leicester

Milton Keynes Dons boss Roberto Di Matteo has backed the squad who won last year's League Two title to make the step up to League One this season.

There was only one new signing in the starting 11 for Saturday's 2-0 defeat at Leicester.

But Di Matteo told BBC Three Counties Radio: "We still have a small squad so I am looking to make more signings.

"But this squad won League Two last season, and I'm sure they can be up there challenging again."

He continued: "We were a bit unfortunate and gave away two cheap goals [on Saturday].

"But we were playing against one of the promotion favourites so it was a tough game for my players but they did well."

The former Chelsea midfielder gave teenage striker Sam Baldock his first start, and whilst the Dons wait on Ali Gerba's work permit, the only new signing in Di Matteo's starting 11 was Florian Sturm.

The Dons start their Carling Cup campaign at home to Norwich on Tuesday, with the Italian promising to take the competition seriously, rather than rest senior players.