MANAGER Ian Baraclough has learned the hard way the frustrations that the January transfer window can bring.

He has managed to strengthen his squad with six deals since the start of 2011.

The key signing that Scunthorpe United fans have been waiting for though – a new striker to pep up the Iron's struggling attack – has so far proved to be elusive.

But after several frustrations, Baraclough believes he is finally on the verge of getting his man – in time for tomorrow's crunch bottom of the table Championship clash at home to Preston.

He is looking to bring in a striker on loan, with a view to a permanent move in the summer.

If he succeeds, it will be a huge boost to United on the eve of their clash with bottom-placed Preston, a game they dare not lose if they are to stay at this level.

Three points in front of their own fans, something they have not achieved since the end of August, could even lift Scunthorpe out of the bottom three, if results elsewhere also go their way.

"I am hoping to bring a striker in," Baraclough confessed.

"It will not be a permanent deal at this moment in time. It will be a loan with a view to something becoming permanent in the summer.

"You look at the permanent ones and people are asking a lot of money for players, more than they maybe would do in a more normal time of year.

"I realise the situation we are in but I do not want this club to be held to ransom and pay over the odds for players we are interested in.

"I am not going to name anybody, not going to reveal anything, unless I have seen the player here in the building."

January has been a taxing and tiring month for the United boss.

"Just when you think you are getting somewhere, you get the door slammed in your face," he declared.

"The last few weeks have certainly taught me a few things.

"The biggest is to try to keep things as close to yourself as you can."

Baraclough is wary of the damage that transfer speculation can do to his transfer hopes.

"Clubs at the other end want to reveal things because they want you to get involved in a bidding war," he continued.

"Agents too, become involved. They all have their jobs to do and I understand that.

"But it is not necessarily the truth.

"People are taking things right down to the wire to test your resolve.

"Which is why when things come out in the media that we have bid this, we have bid that, people then become aware of how far you are prepared to go for certain players.

"I know fans want to know what is happening, but that is the sole reason why I have tried to keep things under wraps."