Jack Midson’s future at AFC Wimbledon hangs in the balance after Neal Ardley admitted the striker does not fit into his plans.

The 30-year-old striker has been keeping the bench warm this season, making only six starts and appearing just once in the past six games.

Ardley’s preference for a single striker has played into the hands of on-loan front-man Michael Smith, who has scored eight goals in all competitions.

Meanwhile, Midson has found the back of the net just once.

Ardley said: “I have had a chat with Jack and at the moment we function better as a team with one striker.

“Whether that’s one striker with a number 10 in behind, or with three midfielders, we seem to function better.

“Luke Moore can play the number 10 position better than Jack or Charlie Sheringham, because it’s his natural position.

“Jack does not like playing the number 10 position, with its defensive role when we lose the ball, as much as he does staying up front. But it is also unnatural for Jack to play up front on his own.

“The way the team is better off playing, unfortunately does not suit Jack at the moment.”

Midson, pictured, has scored 36 goals in 96 starts for the Dons – perhaps his most important was last season’s dramatic final day winner against Fleetwood Town that staved off relegation to the Conference.

Wandsworth Times:

Memories: Jack Midson (number 10) celebrates THAT goals at MK Dons

He also wrote himself into the club’s history books by scoring against MK Dons in last season’s FA Cup.

Ardley added: “Naturally Jack is itching to get game time and we’ve said we will keep monitoring it as it goes along.”

The Dons bounced back from the disappointment of the FA Cup defeat to Coventry City with a 4-0 demolition of Portsmouth on Saturday.

Goals from Andy Frampton (two), Sammy Moore and Smith have lifted the Dons to ninth in League Two, just two points off the play-off places.

After the excitement of the all out attacking display in the FA Cup defeat to Coventry City the week before, Ardley praised the very different attributes shown by his team against the former south coast giants.

He said: “4-0 was a great result, and the fans got that feel-good factor of the four goals, which was fantastic.

“But we played better against Coventry in the way we passed the ball, the way we moved and how we attacked the goal from all angles.

“We showed different qualities to win the Portsmouth game.

“We had a 20-minute spell in the game in the second half where we had to dig in, stick together, and see it through, and we did that.”