Maynard may be back in the Dons fold

The 29-year-old was Dons top scorer last season, but turned down a contract in May to become a free agent and seek out Championship football.

As yet, Maynard, who found the back of the net seven times last season, hasn’t signed for another club, and met with Robinson last week to discuss his future.

“Nicky Maynard was here on Thursday and we had a good conversation,” said Robinson. “I’ve never hidden that I want him. He could be the difference. You don’t score one in three in the Championship if you’re no good. He scored more than Will Grigg and Benik Afobe at that level.

“He’s a free agent, and there’s a number of clubs chasing him. We won’t break the bank to bring him in. He knows our system, he knows the role, everything about me. He would be one of the players I want.”

Dons currently only have two strikers on their books - Simon Church and Tom Hitchcock, but neither have secure futures at the club. Church, currently at the European Championships with Wales, spend the last five months of last season on loan at Aberdeen, will discuss his Dons future when he returns from France.

Hitchcock, 23, meanwhile has made just 14 appearances since signing two years ago and will be put on the transfer list.

The manager though hopes any new strikers he brings to the club can be more than flash-in-the-pan loan signings.

Robinson added: “We need to have a talk with Simon Church after the Euros to see what we do with him, and Tom Hitchcock will be put on the transfer list.

“Our best strikers have been here for a very short period, they over-achieve and then go. It’s frustrating. We cannot afford the best ones, but who can?”