Scunthorpe have extended the loan of Sunderland defender Cliff Byrne to a third month.

The 20-year-old Dubliner has played 11 games for the Iron this season.

And Black Cats boss Howard Wilkinson is keen for Byrne to continue to gain first-team experience at Glanford Park.

"Cliff has been a great signing," Scunthorpe boss Brian Laws told the club's website.

"He has been great to work with and is a super lad. He is only 20 but plays with an old head on his shoulders.

"Howard has confirmed we can have him for a third month and we will look at the situation again after that."

Meanwhile, Scunthorpe captain Peter Beagrie could be back in action in just over a week.

Beagrie has been out of action since early November when he underwent an Achilles operation.

The winger had been expected to be out until February, but could return for the game against Exeter on Tuesday 21 January.