Scunthorpe United are two games away from returning to the EFL as a result of back-to-back promotions, but that hasn’t stopped transfer talk ahead of the upcoming summer transfer window.
Andy Butler’s side beat Southend United on Tuesday to book a trip to runners-up Rochdale, with the winning side going to Wembley Stadium for a chance of sealing promotion to the football league.
Whilst the majority of attention around the football club will be on Sunday’s play-off semi-final, the recruitment team are likely to be working hard on their plans regardless of the division the side will be competing in next season.
Therefore, it is no surprise to see conversations regarding current Scunthorpe players taking front and centre.
Scunthorpe manager reveals stance on midfielder
Scunthorpe have secured several key signings since their promotion from the National League North last season, and one of which remains a ‘hot topic’ amongst fans and reporters heading into Sunday’s game.
Whilst contracted players like Oli Ewing, Cal Roberts and Danny Whitehall have each played a significant role in securing a top seven finish for the Iron – the performances from an on loan midfielder are the ones currently entering the conversation.
On loan midfielder Zain Westbrooke will become a free agent this summer following confirmation that his current deal at Doncaster Rovers won’t be renewed next month, and ahead of Sunday’s match – BBC Humberside Sport interviewed Butler who stated…
“Again, it’ll probably be more for after this campaign. I don’t want to get involved in other teams players but he’s with us at the moment and after his contract runs out then there’s a conversation there.”
The 29-year-old has featured 33 times in the league alone for Scunthorpe this season, providing several goal contributions as the club secured fifth-place in the National League.
Similarly, Westbrooke is a former League One title winner with Coventry City and has featured for several EFL sides including Bristol Rovers and Doncaster Rovers, suggesting that his influence on the side has played a potentially big role in their successes so far this season.
Will Scunthorpe need promotion to retain Westbrooke?
Whilst it is difficult to comment a guarantee, Westbrooke has settled in quickly at Scunthorpe and appears as though he’s getting his career back on track following a tough run of season’s playing second fiddle.
Scunthorpe are also an ambitious football club, meaning financially they’d likely be able to persuade him to make his loan stint permanent this summer, regardless of the division they are in next season.
Similarly, Westbrooke also has EFL experience with the likes of Bristol Rovers and Coventry City, winning promotion to the Championship with the latter.
Westbrooke also isn’t the only ‘big name’ drawing attention ahead of the expiry of his current deal. Fellow playmaker Cal Roberts has been another standout name for Scunthorpe United and Sunday’s trip to Rochdale could prove to be his final match for the club.
Meanwhile, fellow midfielder Oli Ewing turned down a new deal earlier this year with him expressing a desire to review conversations once the season came to a strict end.
However, Scunthorpe are currently 180 minutes away from completing their return to the EFL but may need to act quicker to ensure that they don’t miss out on their key targets, with Westbrooke himself likely to be one of them.
