Scunthorpe United are looking to assemble a squad capable of challenging for promotion following the club’s first relegation from the Football League in 72 years last season.

The Iron kick off their National League campaign with a home clash against Yeovil Town on Saturday evening, in front of the BT Sport cameras.

Manager Keith Hill has had the challenging task of persuading players to join his side this summer, while trying to ensure he maintains the right balance between youth and experience.

So far, eight new recruits have been added to the squad, with former Iron defenders Andrew Boyce and Kgosi Nthle returning to the club.

They have been joined by goalkeeper Marcus Dewhurst on loan, full-back Reagan Ogle, the versatile Colin Daniel, experienced midfield duo Jacob Butterfield and Elliott Whitehouse, and striker Marcus Carver.

Chief Operating Officer Lee Turnbull confirmed in an update on 29 July that there would be “more signings to come during August”, which he said would “add more depth to the squad”.

Centre-forward Carver became the first of those additions following his arrival from Hartlepool United on Tuesday.

But what further signings does Hill need to add to his squad? James Murray takes a look.

Signings Scunthorpe United need to make during the transfer window

Centre-back

With Andrew Boyce and George Taft the only senior central defenders in the squad, at least one more addition is needed to bulk up the options in the heart of defence.

Full-backs Jai Rowe and Kgosi Nthle are both able to fill in at centre-half if need be, while youngster Ethan Young has been in and around the first team over the past few months.

But another experienced defender is required to provide cover should anything happen to Boyce or Taft.

Attacking midfielder

The summer signings of Butterfield and Whitehouse, who are both likely to feature heavily for United this season, have drastically improved the options in the middle of the park.

Youngsters Harvey Cribb, Finley Shrimpton, Dan Gallimore and Jack Moore-Billam will be in the mix, while Rowe can also play as a deep-lying midfielder and Alfie Beestin has played various different midfield roles.

The latter has, however, predominantly played as an attacking midfielder in a midfield three throughout pre-season, which suggests Hill will be looking to employ that formation moving forwards.

With injury-prone Jordan Hallam and 19-year-old Cameron Wilson the only other players used to operating as a CAM, another creative midfielder is a must.

As the Iron boss usually plays with one central striker, an attacking midfielder that has an eye for goal and is willing to make runs in behind opposing defences would be a good fit.

Winger

Captain Liam Feeney is the only out-and-out wide man in the squad. It was an area where Scunthorpe lacked quality and creativity last season.

Colin Daniel, who is a left-back back by trade, has impressed on the wing throughout pre-season and is likely to play on one of the flanks this campaign.

But with Feeney and Daniel both in their mid-30s, the Iron are crying out for at least one younger, quicker option out wide. Hill could potentially look to utilise the loan market and bring in a promising youngster from a Football League club.

Forward

Goals were a huge issue for the Iron last season, as they netted just 29 times in 46 games. Joe Nuttall, who was the only recognised striker at the start of this week, has scored just twice since his arrival from Blackpool in January.

But the signing of Carver has added a much-needed alternative option up top.

Although he failed to score a single goal during the second half of the season with Hartlepool, the 28-year-old has a solid record in non-league football. He scored 17 times for National League North side Southport last season before joining Pools in January.

As Nuttall and Carver are both tall central strikers, a smaller, quicker forward would be a good addition to the squad.