Speaking at the weekend, Iron manager Nigel Adkins said last season's leading goalscorer Gary Hooper is likely to feature in Saturday's home pre-season friendly with Sheffield Wednesday.

The former Southend hotshot hasn't played in the first three friendlies at Bottesford, Brigg and Winterton, with speculation of other clubs being interested in the forward dominating the local media in the summer.

Adkins admitted the move was taken to avoid risking injury to the 22 year-old and, talking in an interview with the Football League website, the boss has hailed the attitude of the player.

He said: "The situation with Gary is that there's been speculation all summer but credit to him, he's got his head down, he's training with a smile on his face and he's being very respectful to Scunthorpe United.

"One telephone call could change everything, but all we can do is control the controllables and that's what we'll continue to do."

To read more from Adkins, including how he intends to prove the critics wrong again this season, click here.