Martin hopes more goals and records will convince Grigg to stay at MK Dons

He finished off the British record for passes before scoring earlier this season, he scored his first hat-trick for the club and has scored more goals in a game than any other player for the club, the only thing Will Grigg doesn't have is a permanent contract for MK Dons. But Russell Martin wants to offer him one.

The 29-year-old became Dons' eighth all-time leading scorer when he netted four times in the 5-0 win over Swindon, with his second, third and fourth goals separated by just four minutes either side of half-time.

During his two years at Sunderland, Grigg had only managed five league goals but equalled that this week alone having also netted against Bristol Rovers on Tuesday night. And with eight for Dons since joining for a second loan spell in February, now has surpassed his total at the Stadium of Light in just 17 appearances.

Martin has spoken on several occasions of his desire to keep Grigg at the club beyond this season, but that his contract at Sunderland will mean the waters will get muddied at some stage as they battle it out for promotion.

Given Grigg's form of late though, Martin said he hopes his string of accolades at Stadium MK this time around will convince the striker that Milton Keynes should be his preferred destination next season.

"I hope it means a lot," he said. "I hope the way he's treated means a lot, and I hope the respect we have means a lot too means a lot. I think he's really enjoyed being back here, and I don't think anyone can say it's an unsuccessful loan. He's scored the British record goal for passes and now he's got that accolade as well. I'm sure he's quite high up in Dons' leading scorers as well!

"We'd like to keep him, he fits in with what we're doing but he has a contract with another club. He has another year, and Sunderland could be in this league still. We'll be right in the mix to try and keep him. We'll have to wait and see.

"He was great today. We couldn't praise him enough in the last few weeks. Today, he got the goals he deserved. He's playing in a way that he hasn't been asked to do before. He deserved the goals because he is so humble, has no ego, puts the team ahead of himself. Everyone is so happy for him. Hopefully he'll score a few more before the end of the season."