THE left hand side of Scunthorpe United's midfield has been something of a sore spot for boss Ian Baraclough.

Desperately scouring the market for a replacement for Martyn Woolford – who departed on the final day of the January transfer window – United have so far used Andy Hughes, Abdisalam Ibrahim and Bobby Grant as stop-gaps in the meantime, with Baraclough highlighting the qualities of full-back Ben Gordon as another, overlapping, option.

"Different players have been played out there and they are playing out of position, I know that," said the United manager.

"But needs must at this moment in time.

"I believe in the modern game that full-backs are the focal point to start many attacks.

"That was the reason to bring Ben Gordon in – he likes to get forward.

"A lot of the top teams don't play with out and out wide men.

"Your Ashley Coles and Patrice Evras get to the byline – that is the modern way of playing, so there is not an onus on having two wide midfielders."

But the search for a winger goes on.

"If it is a Premier League lad to come in on loan, I would do that," added Baraclough.

"If it is a lad at any other level with a possibility of bringing him in, with a view to buying in the summer, then I am looking at that.

"If there is anybody out there that is a free agent, I am looking at that."