Manager Nigel Adkins says he is "very, very close" to finding out whether co-assistant manager Ian Baraclough will sign a new deal with the club.

The 37-year-old has been offered a coaching contract, plus a pay-as-you-play deal, but has made no secret of the fact he would love to keep playing.

As the former Notts County man has already admitted, staying with the Iron would mean virtually retiring from playing, so the manager appreciates Baraclough has a big decision to make.

Adkins told BBC Radio Humberside: "He's got a massive decision to make, because a playing contract and a coaching contract are two totally different things - and, obviously, the financial difference in that is quite significant as well.

"Your best playing days are where you get the majority of your money.

"Ian's got a big decision to make, and we respect that. We're allowing him that little bit of time to make sure.

"I think we're very, very close, but we just need to make sure that Ian's been able to explore the avenues that he can do from a financial point of view because it's no good him signing a contract and then realising a couple of weeks later that he can't afford to pay his mortgage."

Elsewhere, the Scunthorpe Telegraph carry an interview with acting chairman Rex Garton, who says the club have no intention of selling top marksman Martin Paterson, after Burnley registered an interest.

He told the newspaper: "We are trying to build a squad for next season - not dismantle one.

"Yes, our chairman Steve Wharton has received a telephone call from a representative at Burnley.

"But we have made it clear that we do not want to sell Martin Paterson.

"And to the best of my knowledge we have received no written offer from Burnley for him."

Finally, manager Nigel Adkins has told the Telegraph he is positive that centre-back Andy Butler will accept the club's offer of a new contract.

He said: "Having spoken to Andy, I am still very, very hopeful that he is going to continue his relationship with us.

"He is well aware of what my thoughts are on him and what the club's thoughts are. We desperately want him to stay.

"We want to give ourselves every opportunity to have a good season next year and push for promotion again - and Andy is a big part of that.