United boss Nigel Adkins says his club's "excellent links" with Premiership giants Chelsea could lead to the loan signing of a young Blues midfielder next season.

Following on from the success of Jack Cork, the manager had hoped his side could take on the Stamford Bridge club in pre-season.

That's not to be now, although an opportunity has arisen to bring in an exciting young England international.

He told the Scunthorpe Telegraph: "We have excellent links with Chelsea and they were delighted with how we've helped Jack's development.

"We've provided him with a platform to play in the Championship.

"We like to think we've got a good environment which Chelsea are happy to allow their youngsters into.

"I spoke to their Academy director, who is in charge of the under 21s.

"We'd hoped to play them during pre-season, a team full of players like Jack Cork, but nine of them are going to be playing in the European Championships so we've had to cancel.

"But on the back of the links of that, there is a player at Chelsea who we've talked about and there is every opportunity he will join us next year on a long term loan."