Scunthorpe United manager Alan Knill says defender Shane Duffy is becoming 'a leader' as the Blues youngster continues to impress at the League One club.

Duffy is now in his third month with the Iron, making 11 apppearances to date and scoring his first goal in Saturday's 4-2 win over Tranmere Rovers at Glanford Park.

The teenager is currently at Scunthorpe on a month by month arrangement, but Knill is keen to secure a longer deal when the transfer window opens in January.

He said: "He (Duffy) is a big part of the team and he's growing into that leader role.

"It's a youth loan which we will continue and then before January we will speak to Everton about trying to extend that until the end of the season."

"We feel it's beneficial to both parties but it's up to Everton."

Duffy has helped Scunthorpe to a run of just one defeat in seven games as the Humderside club recover from a testing start to the season.

And Knill believes the Irish Under-21 international is improving all the time in his first extended taste of first team football.

"I think he's been excellent for us, it's easy to forget that he's so young, I think he's going to be a really good player," added Knill.

"You have to talk to him properly. There are certain ways you can go about it but if you speak to him and show him he will continue to get better.

"I think his performances are getting better. The biggest thing that any centre half needs is, when the ball comes into the box a desire to get your head or a foot on it, and he has that.

"He has a great chance to be a really good defender. He has good feet and I'm delighted for him."