AFC Wimbledon boss Neal Ardley is facing a race against time to bring in a striker tomorrow [Friday] to plug the gap left by Michael Smith's return to Charlton Athletic.
The Dons go to Wycombe Wanderers on Saturday looking to arrest a run of seven League Two games without a win.
It is a record compounded by only scoring one goal in the past five games, and dropping to 15th in the table.
Ardley does not know whether Smith will make a return to the Cherry Red Records stadium, and so he is acting to bring in a replacement.
"Smith has gone back [to Charlton] and we need another centre forward," he said.
"We need to look at a short-term option and we're hopeful of bringing someone in tomorrow [Friday], maybe for just a couple of weeks. We are working incredibly hard on that right now.
"With a view to the longer term, we're holding out for Smith, but if that's going to happen, then may be we need to get a more proven replacement in."
He added: "We're also looking at centre backs, that is an area which needs strengthening in a different direction to where we are right now.
"We have experience, and I am now looking at someone more athletic."
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