Pete Winkleman plays down Northampton Saints link

Winkleman took Wimbledon to Milton Keynes in 2004

There is no long-term commitment for Northampton Saints to play rugby at Stadium MK, says Milton Keynes chairman Pete Winkleman.

Should they reach the quarter-finals of the Heineken Cup, Saints are likely to play the game in Buckinghamshire.

But Winkleman told BBC Three Counties Radio: "We've only spoken to Keith [Barwell, Saints chairman] of being the Heineken Cup venue.

"I think it's very, very early days to talk about anything else."

Saints chief executive Allen Robson warned in August that Franklin's Gardens' 13,500 capacity was too small for some potential fixtures and said an arrangement had been put in place with the Dons to use their stadium.

Winkleman confirmed his club were willing to help out and that the facilities at Stadium MK were capable of hosting top-flight European rugby matches, but insisted football will always be the venue's main attraction.

Keith has put his life into making sure they are competitive. We're flattered we're able to be helpful to Keith and the Saints

MK Dons chairman Pete Winkleman

"It's very much, for us, about being a football stadium," he continued.

"What we want to make sure is the people of Milton Keynes get a wide sporting choice from the stadium."

Northampton have developed plans to expand Franklin's Gardens but are concerned the local borough council will reject the project.

"Keith's got to do whatever he can to make sure he has the most positive situation for taking the rugby forward," Winkleman added.

"Keith has put his life into making sure they are competitive. We're flattered we're able to be helpful to Keith and the Saints."

Northampton Borough councillor David Perkins said in August that planning permission for the Saints expansion would go against the central government policy of not allowing "developments out of town that would have an adverse affect on the town centre".