SCUNTHORPE United manager Alan Knill has already begun 'preliminary meetings' with prospective signings for next season.

And though a lot of the work he can do during the summer will hinge on the players he can move out of Glanford Park, the 47-year-old is adamant he has a budget to ensure the Iron are competitive in League One.

"It's not easy," Knill told the Telegraph of his plans to strengthen his squad.

"The idea is that we try to free up some money so we can spend some money.

"That might be difficult, but we have to keep working hard and keep talking to players.

"I think it's important we speak to potential targets and let them know of our interest so when the time comes we can go and get them.

"I've had some meetings with players this week from divisions below and I'm hopeful we can do something.

"I think we can be competitive with the budget I've got.

"The budget we've come down with is obviously too expensive for League One, but I don't think you have to spend as much money as what we're coming down with.

"Obviously we need some strikers and some wide players and there isn't really a left-back in the club. We have to look at those positions first."

League Two is a talent pool in which United seem keen to attempt to do most of their business this summer.

Already Knill has confirmed his interest in Manchester United's Nicky Ajose, who he signed on loan for former club Bury in September, and Rotherham United goalscorer Adam Le Fondre.

The Telegraph though, understands a decision on Ajose's future will not be made until much later in the summer and with a fee needed to prise Le Fondre away from the Millers, he is another target the Iron boss is yet to speak to.

It's almost certain, given his level of finance, Knill's meetings this week will have been with players out of contract – like Rotherham winger Nicky Law, whom Knill rates as 'a good player' – or those released by clubs.

The United manager is confident his knowledge of the lower divisions means he has plenty of options available to build a squad capable of pushing for the top six in the third tier.

But he will be looking for a certain type of character as much as a certain type of player.

"I meet the player, I don't meet the agent and I don't discuss money," said Knill of his meetings with prospective signings.

"I don't discuss anything other than what I can do for the player and what I think the player will benefit from signing for me and Scunthorpe United. That's how I work.

"I'm not interested in how much money he wants to earn.

"I'm interested in what he wants to achieve and whether or not he wants to get better.

"My record says players usually do, so that's what I'm selling.

"I'm saying, if you come and work for me and my staff, the chances are you're going to get a better player."