Hayes left Scunthorpe for Preston in the summer

Scunthorpe United manager Ian Baraclough says he would be open to bringing former striker Paul Hayes back to the club for a third spell.

Hayes, 27, is on loan at Barnsley after failing to settle in the North West with Championship side Preston.

"If there was a chance to bring him back and he wanted to come back then of course I would be interested," Baraclough told BBC Radio Humberside.

"Obviously I'm not allowed to approach anybody until January."

Hayes left The Iron for North End in the summer following the second of his two stints with the Lincolnshire club.

I like Paul Hayes as a person and as a player and I'm always here if he needs a chat Ian Baraclough

During a combined total of five and a half seasons at Glanford Park he scored 74 goals in 213 starts.

And Baraclough, who was a player and later first team coach during Hayes' time at Scunthorpe says he has a good relationship with the former Norwich trainee.

"I've spoken to Paul since he left the club. He's called me to see how I'm getting on, to wish me well and we've had a chat as friends," said Baraclough.

"Paul has asked my advice on one or two occasions so hopefully if he's got a problem at the moment he would pick up the telephone if he wanted to speak to me.

"I like Paul as a person and as a player and I'm always here if he needs a chat."

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