United are reportedly lining up a bid for Cheltenham Town striker Steven Gillespie as they step up their efforts to replace the departed Martin Paterson.

The Scunthorpe Telegraph say that the Iron are battling Carlisle United to snap up the former Liverpool hotshot.

"Steven is a player we have watched for some time," manager Nigel Adkins told the newspaper.

"I have made an inquiry about him to manager Keith Downing.

"I am aware that another club are interested and I am aware of the size of the bid that has been put in.

"That makes us aware of what we need to do if we want to pursue our interest."

Adkins is still being linked with the managerial vacancy at Milton Keynes Dons, say BBC Radio Humberside.

Dons chairman Pete Winkelman acknowledged the Iron chief as a decent manager but refused to confirm whether he was interested or not.

Meanwhile, the radio station reports that the Scunthorpe boss is chasing two strikers, one of which they believe to be Gillespie.