AFC Wimbledon are on the hunt for a new striker this summer but Neal Ardley only demands one thing a potential recruit – goals.

The Dons already have one of League Two's most feared forwards in the shape of the Beast, Adebayo Akinfenwa, and manager Ardley needs someone to play off the muscular hitman.

A smaller player, in the mould of last season's hugely successful loan signing Matt Tubbs, would be the ideal solution as it would give Wimbledon more balance in attack.

However, Ardley says he'll happily sign up anyone who offers guaranteed goals and guile to go with the bulk and raw power of the Beast.

He said: “I want someone who will score 20 goals a season. If you can find me someone that scores goals then we'll sign him. That's the type of player I want.

“We don't need a big target man because we've got the best in the league and we'll try and someone to feed off that.

Never replaced: Matt Tubbs left for Portsmouth

“You want someone with a bit of pace and athleticism as well if you can have it. There's loads of qualities we want but you're not going to get them all. Goals is a must though.

“We're working with the budget to try and get the best players we can.”

It seemed at one stage this summer that Ardley would be on the lookout for a new target man too as Akinfenwa held talks in the US over a move to the MLS.

The powerhouse instead decided to snub a move across the pond to remain at Wimbledon, with Ardley insisting the striker is determined to improve on last season's performance.

He added: “We needed a bit of patience with Bayo so we gave him breathing space and he went to America.

“He had good offers elsewhere, better than we could offer him, but he always wanted to sign for us if he stayed in England. He's been great for us.

“He's working hard and he wants to do something this season, he wants to have a better one than last year.”

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