Warne wants width as depleted full-back department is exposed
Adding out wide is now the priority before the window closes
Bolstering the ranks at full-back is now the main priority for MK Dons before the transfer window closes.
With just Gethin Jones and Joe Tomlinson as recognised full-backs in the traditional sense in the squad, Paul Warne opted to roll the dice with a new formation to keep the pair protected against Championship side Bristol City on Tuesday night.
While Tomlinson came off the bench, Australian international Jones was an unused substitute at Ashton Gate, though the lack of numbers was clear and is something Warne is eager to amend.
“I think we need more full-back cover,” he said. “I don’t think we have enough and it’s becoming more evident. I do think the squad is taking shape though.
“We tried to rest, look after and bubblewrap Gethin and Joe. I only put Joe on for a little bit at the end, which won’t be a problem. If anything were to happen to either of them, it’s a problem so it’s something we’re looking at in the market.”
New signing Marvin Ekpiteta played his first 90 minutes since November but looked dead on his feet come the end of the game, while fellow defender Nathan Thompson and striker Scott Hogan also came through an hour unscathed after injury.
There was more positive news too for Dan Crowley, who was an unused substitute, as Warne continued: “It was nice to get Marvin some minutes. The last few were bordering on precarious. We changed the shape a couple of times to save legs.
“It was Nath’s first game back, Scotty’s first game back, tonly been training for a week, so their output against a top Championship team is really good.
“I had intended on giving Crowley some minutes but that didn’t happen, Will Collar got more minutes in his legs, and I don’t know how Aaron (Nemane) keeps going.”