Striker ranks high on Dons' shopping list this summer

Russell Martin would love a 30-goal-a-season striker at MK Dons next season, but admits it is easier said than done.

With Joe Mason leaving the club, Will Grigg returning to Sunderland after his loan spell and Cameron Jerome likely to depart when his contract expires in the next few weeks, Dons have just Charlie Brown and Jay Bird, fresh off his new contract signing on Tuesday, on their books as it stands.

After seeing the impact Peterborough striker, and former Dons loanee, Jonson Clarke-Harris made at London Road this season as he fired 33 goals to help Posh into the Championship, Martin says finding that calibre of player is the aim but it won't be easy.

"It's a really tough position," he admitted. "There seems to be a shortage of them at the moment. Peterborough have shown what a difference it can make to have a guy who scores that many goals.

"We've been working really hard for a long period of time to identify the right people what fit culturally into the way we play and will add value. We've got a good list, one we're comfortable with, and we've spoken to clubs and players. If we can get one or two in that we really want, we'll be more than happy.

"We want to get the work done as early as possible. We know what we need, the hard part is persuading people to come and to have the finances to go and get them."