Martin Paterson has apologised to Scunthorpe fans after handing in a transfer request.

The 21-year-old striker, desperate to stay in the Championship, believes he deserves the chance to further his career. He scored 14 goals last season after joining the Iron from Stoke in July.

The Northern Ireland international told the Scunthorpe Telegraph: "I understand football and that the fans won't like my point of view and I can only apologise if people think I have disrespected the club.

"I hope they look at it from the point of view that I'm a young lad and very ambitious and I want to use the momentum I've had this year.

"I don't think I'm a player with unbelievable ability, if anything I think I'm a player that probably lacks a bit of ability, but I've always tried 100% for Scunthorpe every time I've walked over the chalk."

He added: "Hopefully the fans, when they look at it, will think that while I do want to leave the club, and I've made that very clear, I've worked hard and have earned the right to better myself."