Ibehre set for MK Dons move

Walsall striker Jabo Ibehre is set to reject a new deal at the Banks's Stadium ahead of a move to MK Dons.

Walsall striker Jabo Ibehre is set to reject a new deal at the Banks's Stadium ahead of a move to MK Dons.

The Express & Star understands the Saddlers' League One rivals expect to confirm the deal tomorrow, with manager Roberto Di Matteo a long-term admirer of the 26-year-old.

Reports over the weekend suggested he was on the verge of a move - something the Ibehre camp denied - but he will now end his one year stay at the Banks's.

He scored the winner in the Saddlers' 1-0 victory at Dons in April, before a hamstring injury in the same game ended his season early.

London-born Ibehre was signed by former Walsall manager Jimmy Mullen from Leyton Orient last summer and netted on his debut in the 1-1 opening day draw at Yeovil.

But he struggled to hit the target regularly, scoring 11 goals in 43 games, finishing with three strikes in his final two starts but his workrate has impressed Di Matteo.

The news will be a major blow to Saddlers chief Chris Hutchings and leaves him with 20-year-old Troy Deeney as his most experienced striker.

Alex Nicholls, along with inexperienced duo Will Grigg and Josh Craddock, are his only other options after releasing Michael Ricketts last month.

With Ibehre poised to leave, Sofiene Zaaboub is the only player yet to resolve his future.

Clayton Ince, Manny Smith, Rene Gilmartin, Chris Palmer and Netan Sansara have all agreed new deals.