AFC Wimbledon boss Neal Ardley wants to add another central midfielder to his injury-hit squad but admits he is unlikely to tie up a deal before today’s deadline.

The Dons have recruited four players so far in the January transfer window signing two defenders and two forwards, but Ardley fears the lack of money at the club will stop him adding to that.

Danny Hylton joined the club on Monday on a season-long loan from League One Rotherham, following Charlie Wyke, on loan from Middlesbrough, Aaron Morris and Darren Jones into the Cherry Red Records Stadium.

“Ultimately we’ve run out of money,” Ardley said.

“We didn’t have much to play with this budget and we’ve got a couple of key players out – we’ve lost Andy Frampton.

“I think in an ideal world we’re probably a centre midfielder short.

“My take on that is, a lot of clubs will ask the question: ‘Will they play?’ and if Sammy and Pelly are playing the way are, then no.

“So it might have to be something we do in an emergency – if the time comes and we need to act.”

Ardley also hopes to extend Wyke’s deal, due to run out next week after the trip to Oxford United, but admits the ball is in his parent club’s court.

He added: “We’re speaking to Middlesbrough, they’ve done a great deal with us letting us have him for a month, they’ve waved the wages more or less, we will be speaking to them but obviously it’s in their hands.

“I think Charlie wants to stay and we’d love him to stay, but we’ll see where it goes.”