January Sales - no thank you!

Last updated : 31 December 2006 By Luke Thornhill

Scunthorpe have defied all expectations to enjoy a stunning first-half of the season, even a change of manager was not enough to disrupt the side's form.

Key to United's success so far this term has been the stunning displays of young strike pairing Billy Sharp and Andy Keogh, who are among the hottest properties outside the Premiership.

And Scunthorpe's chances of a remarkable promotion this season will depend largely on whether the pair are still employed by the club on Monday February 1.

All the talk coming out of the club is a determination to keep them both.

Chairman Steve Wharton and manager Nigel Adkins insists they're only interested in adding to the first-team squad, while Sharp and Keogh both say they want to stay.

But that won't stop fans fearing the worst - with Premiership clubs Manchester City and Watford both linked with Sharp, along with several Championship sides.

"I know that there is going to be massive speculation about these two, probably throughout most of January," conceded Adkins.

"The chairman does not want to sell anyone. He will do everything in his power to keep Billy and Andy at this football club for the rest of this season."