SCUNTHORPE United hope to be able to include defender Gavin Gunning in their starting line-up in Saturday's League One opener at Wycombe Wanderers.

But the Blackburn Rovers defender is almost certain to be the only new face in the Iron ranks.

Manager Alan Knill has been forced to play a waiting game in his bid to lure a Premier League striker to Glanford Park – but admits he faces competition.

"It's disappointing," said Knill of his failure to strengthen his forward line.

"But to bring people in permanently we have until the end of August, so that's still a month.

"We're constantly looking at loans as well, but as of yet, we haven't managed to get anybody in.

"We are hopeful of being able to do something soon, but we're waiting on somebody else.

"We've made a club aware we are interested in one of their players, but we are one of quite a few clubs that are interested."

Knill has rejected claims the Iron are not an attractive prospect for potential signings – something suggested by previous managers.

And he insists his failure to add to the three new faces he brought in earlier in the summer – Jimmy Ryan, Andy Barcham and Jordan Robertson – is not a concern.

"Every season you sign some of your targets and you lose some," he said on the subject.

"With the ones we lost, a lot of it was about money and if it's about money, I think they are signing for us for the wrong reasons, especially young players.

"We're hopefully going to give them something more than just a bit of cash.

"Jimmy (Ryan) came when there were plenty of clubs for him, the same with Barch (Andy Barcham)."

The Iron will hope to be able to say the same about Gunning, who started their final two pre-season friendlies during a week-long trial.

The versatile 20-year-old, who can play at left-back or in the centre of defence, is now back at parent club Blackburn Rovers, where he is trying to bring an end to his current contract.

If Scunthorpe can strike up a deal with the Irishman, he is almost certain to feature at Adams Park on Saturday, despite being forced off during Saturday's 5-0 defeat against Barnsley with a thigh problem.

"Gav is still a Blackburn player but is negotiating a pay-up on his contract," Knill added.

"Once he gets that, then maybe we can do something.

"Gavin is going to be a good player, so I'm hopeful we can do something, but it all depends on whether he is paid up by Blackburn.

"He had to come off at half-time on Saturday and really he should have come off earlier, but we're hoping it will be okay."