PHIL Parkinson has warned Wanderers that standards must not drop as they lead the way in League One.

The Whites boss walks into tomorrow’s clash with MK Dons as the SkyBet Manager of the Month after his side took four wins and two draws from their opening six games.

Parkinson laughed off talk of the mythical “curse” which winners of the award are often said to suffer from, insisting his team must take full responsibility for their performance.

“A curse would only apply if complacency creeps in, if I start thinking I’m better than I am, or if players get ideas above their station and forget all the hard work that has gone into getting them this far,” he said.

“If that happened I’d be very disappointed. We have to make sure this weekend we give everything to get three points.”

Top scorer Gary Madine has now been ruled out of tomorrow’s game with a groin strain after scans showed up more damage than previously thought.

Liam Trotter is another doubt, having picked up a knock against Southend.

Parkinson is keen to celebrate his award by seeing Wanderers’ unbeaten run extended against a side that dropped out of the Championship with them last season.

“It’s great to get awards but I’m always conscious of the fact it’s a team award, and that’s not just the team on the pitch, it’s everybody,” he said.

“It’s been hard work to get to this stage of the season in good form and from the chairman right the way down there’s a determination to keep the run going.

“It is absolutely vital that when the players turn up on Saturday that they fight to protect that hard work.”

Jay Spearing missed out on the League One Player of the Month award but Parkinson was quick to praise the impact his stand-in skipper has made this season.

The former Liverpool midfielder was forced to sit out because of a contractual problem at the end of last term but has emerged to become a driving force for the new Whites boss.

“Jay had that difficult period at the end of last season through no fault of his own but came through it with a real bit between his teeth, and it has really shown in his performances,” Parkinson said.

“That character has spread right throughout the team and he’s also contributed two great goals.”