Scunthorpe United manager Andy Butler has confirmed the club are currently casting their eyes over two former EFL players, in a bid to strengthen their squad after a frustrating start to the season.
The Iron travel to Eastleigh this weekend, hopeful of picking up their first league victory of the season after drawing with Yeovil Town and slipping to defeat against Southend United last weekend.
Andy Butler’s side have lost the likes of Callum Roberts and Oliver Ewing during the summer but have strengthened in other areas – despite their lack of points to show for their efforts thus far.
However, things could be set to change as two former EFL players link up with the club.
Former EFL duo training with Scunthorpe
Ahead of Friday’s trip to the Spitfires, Butler has been speaking to local media addressing certain elements of his team including injuries and potential incomings.
One of which included confirmation that two former EFL players are training with the National League side with potential to earn contracts in the coming weeks.
The players in question, as revealed during his chat with BBC Humberside Sport are Levi Sutton and Fejiri Okenabirhie.
During his interview, Butler stated…
”If there’s some money available, I’ve got an opportunity to speak to people. But the unknown trialist was Fejiri Okenabirhie who’s been in the building – I think people know that.
”We’ve got Levi Sutton training with us as well at the moment (an ex-player), but the EFL window closes in 12 days (I think), and they’re looking towards a Football League club but if not then there’s discussions to be had further down the road.”
Okenabirhie has spent the last two years playing in the Egyptian Premier League with Modern Sport, but contributed to just one goal in 19 appearances – having been away from England since his 2024 departure from Cambridge United.
Meanwhile, Sutton is a free agent after leaving Harrogate Town following their relegation from League Two last season, and is a familiar face to supporters having begun his career with the Iron before leaving for Bradford City in 2020.
Butler has however confirmed that the club would need to improve their budget if they were to offer contracts to either of the duo.
Will the duo improve Scunthorpe?
Though Butler confirmed that both players have eyes on trying to get an EFL move, if they aren’t successful – their experience alone could play key roles for Scunthorpe.
Sutton knows the club having spent five years as a first-team player there, whilst also being able to play in several different positions/roles and is a local boy – suggesting he may have the passion to bring the best out of his teammates.
Admittedly, Okenabirhie has struggled for goals since his 2020/21 season with Doncaster Rovers, but did manage seven in 24 matches during his final year with Cambridge as they pulled off a famous relegation escape.
With the departure of Roberts in particular, Scunthorpe not only lost proven quality but they also said goodbye to a very experienced player in the forward areas.
With the club having Pat Jones & Luke Brennan who are relatively unproven at fifth-tier level, the addition of experience could play a key role both on and off the pitch moving into the campaign as a whole.
