Striker's fitness 'hanging by a thread' ahead of big double-header
The fitness of MK Dons’ leading man is a concern for the head coach
Top-scorer Callum Paterson is right on the brink of injury and is in constant pain, according to MK Dons boss Paul Warne.
The 31-year-old is in hot form for Dons, with six goals in four games, taking him to 14 for the season, putting him second in the charts behind Swindon’s Aaron Drinan.
Having played 86 per cent of Dons’ minutes this season though, the Scot is starting to show signs of wear and tear, the head coach said. After substituting him against Grimsby a couple of weeks ago, citing a knee issue, Warne said Paterson has barely trained in the lead-up to Saturday’s game against Newport County.
“With him, we are hanging by a physical thread,” Warne said. “He is getting his knee jabbed all the time, he’s in pain all the time, he’s hardly trained this week. And we’re playing Saturday-Tuesday too, however he is a warrior.”
Nominated for League Two’s Player of the Month for January, Paterson’s form is now garnering wider recognition, but both he and Warne have admitted his numbers - 14 goals and eight assists - are not quite as high as they expected.
Warne continued: “I thought he would’ve had more goals by now. I’m not saying he’s been poor by any stretch of the imagination. But we started the season with wide men, and I thought every time we crossed the ball we’d get a chance. Now we’re playing with wing-backs, that has changed but we have more control.
“I think his performances have been amazing, and I’m pleased with his contributions - more so his performances than his goals. Pato could go plenty of games without a goal and still be priceless for us. We need a focal point and his efforts are pretty phenomenal.”
Not just on the pitch though, Warne said Paterson’s influence behind the scenes and in the squad on a daily basis have proven to be just as his contributions on the field, adding: “I knew he was good, and it would take a lot to convince him to come here, as well as the owner and the board.
“I didn’t realise he was such a likeable bloke. He’s like Jekyll and Hyde. When he plays, it’s serious business but when he isn’t, he’s tranquillo! The lads love him, he’s great in the dressing room, he’s a calming force. Fortunately, he’s proven a good fit.”