STRIKER Nicky Maynard, who was on trial at Blackburn Rovers in the summer, has signed for their Championship rivals MK Dons.

Maynard, a free agent following his release from Cardiff City at the end of last season, lined-up for Rovers in their final friendly of pre-season.

But the ex-Crewe Alexandra, Bristol City and West Ham United forward’s hopes of winning a permanent deal with Gary Bowyer’s side were hit after he limped off 32 minutes into the 3-0 home win over Wigan Athletic, another of his former clubs.

Maynard, after recovering from his hamstring injury, moved on to the Dons where he has done enough to earn a contract until the end of the current campaign.

Dons manager Karl Robinson, who once worked at Rovers as a coach, said: “I’m really pleased we have got him and I think the fans will be pleased that we can get players of his quality through the door – it shows again, as a football club, what we can achieve.

“With Nicky we were firm from the word go with what we could offer and initially it was a shock for him and his people.

“They had to go away and think about it but I’m delighted he’s decided to sign.”

Subject to international clearance Maynard could make his Dons debut tonight when they entertain Southampton in the Capital One Cup.

Robinson’s newly promoted side welcome Rovers to Stadium mk on Saturday, October 17.