Adding attacking power is always the aim in a transfer window, Warne said

Bolstering MK Dons’ attacking line is always on the agenda heading into a transfer window but Paul Warne said he wants to see his two injured strikers back in contention.

Callum Paterson has been out of action since the 0-0 draw with AFC Wimbledon in mid-September, while Rushian Hepburn-Murphy has been limited to just two appearances this term, once off the bench against Peterborough and one start in the EFL Trophy against former club Crawley Town.

With the pair missing in action recently, and the release of Nathaniel Mendez-Laing a couple of weeks ago, the head coach has been without 60 per cent of the strike force he anticipated heading into the season with, leaving just Aaron Collins and Sam Nombe to lead the line in almost every game this season.

Adding firepower in January, Warne admitted, is always at the forefront of his aims when heading into a window but he said the returns of Paterson and Hepburn-Murphy will also help the side’s current issues up top.

“We get up the pitch really easily, out box-to-box work is good, but the problem is the last little bit,” he said. “Pato and Rush would be amazing.

“If I knew I was playing 60 minutes, I’d gas out. If I knew I was playing for half an hour, I’d be buzzing because the defenders would be tiring.

“With regards to January, I’m always looking to strengthen the front line but I would love to see Pato and Rush back.

“It’s difficult. They offer us something different. Rush is the quickest player we have, Pato is a goal-scorer in loads of different avenues. Those are the sorts of players you want to be fit, which is stating the obvious.”

Warne also hinted there could be good news regarding last season’s top scorer Paterson, who returned to training this week that he believes the Scot should be in contention to be in the squad to face Stevenage on Saturday.