MANAGER Alan Knill is still looking to add a fourth new face to his Scunthorpe United squad before the start of the new season.

He took his summer signings to three yesterday when forward duo Andy Barcham and Jimmy Ryan arrived at Glanford Park.

Both are young players who have had a Premier League pedigree in their junior days.

Barcham, 24, started his career with Tottenham and has arrived as a free agent after spending the last three years at Gillingham.

Former Liverpool apprentice Ryan, twice an FA Youth Cup winner at Anfield, will have his transfer fee set by a Football League tribunal, with United and Accrington unable to agree a fee for the 22-year-old.

"I am really delighted to have brought in this pair," said Knill.

"We have been trying to get them for quite a long time.

"Both of them come with a really good football education behind them – and they are an ideal age for us to develop.

"They were two of the best players in League Two last season and they have a desire to do well."

Knill revealed that his move for Ryan was almost hijacked at the last moment when another club came in for him.

"We think we are lucky to get him because, right at death, someone else came in for him," said the United boss.

"The fortunate thing is that he has decided to stay and play with us.

"We have been big fans of Jimmy for the last three years – he is a really talented footballer.

"He can play wide, in central midfield or off the striker.

"He is a really technical footballer with great energy."

Knill is pleased that United have agreed to go to a tribunal for Ryan, after failing to agree a fee with Accrington.

"It is fantastic in this day and age, when there is not much money around, that we are prepared to do that," he went on.

"The board have been prepared to go for it and find out how much we are going to have to pay later."

And Knill feels Barcham will have an equally big part to play for Scunthorpe.

"He is a player with both pace and power and someone I have always thought I would like to work with," the Iron manager continued.

"I first spoke to 'Barchy' a long time ago."

Yesterday's two arrivals follow the signing of former Sheffield United striker Jordan Robertson earlier in the summer.

"We have created competition for places, but we have not finished yet," said Knill.

"I think we still need another forward.

"We have identified a couple of players we would like to talk to, but we have not received permission yet.

"They are currently under contract with other clubs and a transfer fee would be involved."

Ryan, Barcham and Robertson will meet their new team-mates for the first time when the United squad report back to Glanford Park tomorrow for the start of pre-season training.