Although the current season is still far from over, manager Karl Robinson has already been working hard to strengthen his side for next year.
Straight after guiding his side to a 3-0 victory over Walsall on Saturday afternoon, Robinson travelled to mainland Europe to Holland for a scouting mission and to discuss different recruitment ideas with officials at the Dutch giants, Ajax.
The aim of the trip was to develop contacts in the country area ahead of future transfer windows and Robinson, who returned to Milton Keynes late on Monday night, believes it proved to be a productive three days.
Speaking to the local media on Tuesday, Robinson said: “It was a really productive trip. I saw three games, I had two meetings and I went and met the people at Ajax who are in charge of recruiting. I have driven 1,300 miles in three days, but it is for the future of this Football Club and well worth putting the hours in. It was one of the most productive three days I could have had.
“I was on the phone to the Chairman and I was telling him how it’s broadened our horizons. We’re certainly going to look at Northern Europe to see if we can bring people in because I think it’s a really unique market.
“There were two or three players out there I liked and I’m already in contact with their agents. It’s not a case of buying now because we’re outside the window but we wanted to build bridges and make a few contacts now, so we can watch them two or three times over the course of the rest of the season.”
While any potential forays into the Dutch market will have to wait until the summer, Robinson has reiterated his desire to sign a striker in the near future after confirming that Chris Long had returned to Everton upon the completion of his loan spell, to receive treatment on a thigh strain.
Robinson added: “Chris Long has got a thigh strain and I spoke to Everton and they say he’s out for up to six to seven weeks. We'll make that decision around that time about the possibility of a return but because that’s towards the end of the season we’ll have to wait and see.
“We still need a striker because if Izale (McLeod) gets tired or gets a knock then we need someone. It’s important that we bring somebody in but we keep hitting brick walls and it’s frustrating."
Click here to watch a short teaser of that interview on YouTubeMK Dons Player spoke to Karl Robinson after his side’s 3-0 victory over Walsall on Saturday.
