There was more positive news from the MK Dons treatment room

Top-scorer Callum Paterson will not be fit in time to face Barnet on Saturday, but could be in line to return to the fold in time for MK Dons’ trip to promotion contenders Salford City a week later.

The Scot has been out of action since Valentine’s Day when he suffered an ankle injury in the win over Newport County, and had been thought to be out until the latter stages of April.

However, he has reacted to the injury better than anticipated and was back running at Woughton on the Green ahead of schedule.

His progress has given boss Paul Warne hope that, while he will miss this Saturday’s game against Barnet at Stadium MK, Paterson could be back for the trip to Salford a week later.

“Pato is now on the grass and he might be available for selection for Salford, so that’s really positive,” Warne said. “There is always someone out, and the team have kept performing. It’s great they’re coming back, but then they’ve got to get in.”

There was also further positive news regarding Nathaniel Mendez-Laing and Will Collar. Both have been out of action since December with hamstring injuries, but played a part in a training game earlier this week as they edge closer to returns.

Warne confirmed: “Natty and Collar have been joining in in training all week, they’re a little bit closer. Whether they are close enough I’m not so sure. They both played a part in a 20-minute 11vs11 on Monday which will help.”