Boss Alan Knill is certain Scunthorpe United will be at the front of the queue when it comes to discussing a new deal for defender Eddie Nolan.

But in the meantime, he wants to keep the Irishman "hungry".

Knill believes Nolan, whose contract expires in the summer, has been proving his doubters wrong this season, and is eager for that to continue.

"From what I hear, he came in, did really well, signed a contract, then didn't do well," the United manager said.

"So the idea is, you have got to keep people hungry.

"We'll try our best but I'm sure, when the time comes, we'll be the first ones to sit down with him.

"That's what you want. You want players to step forward and prove all the doubters wrong – because there were plenty of doubters around Eddie.

"I think he's slowly doing that.

"He's been excellent, but it's not a shock.

"I'd seen Eddie before we came in and was excited to work with him.

"Then when we came in, he wasn't in the greatest shape – both physically and, I think, mentally as well.

"At the end of last season, I just sat him down and had a good chat with him, told him what he needed to do.

"He's done that.

"If you put your mind to it and you work harder than anybody else, usually you get your rewards. And if you don't, it's not for the want of trying.

"He's done really well and now he just has to keep that going because we all know there's a really good player in there.

"Sometimes we forget he is still a young man.

"He has played at a decent level and I forget how young he is and that he's still learning."