Scunthorpe United chairman Steve Wharton has told star striker Paul Hayes that "no-one is irreplaceable."

Hayes, a key member of the side that has defied the critics by avoiding relegation from the Championship, is one of several Iron players whose contracts expire this summer.

And the 12-goal striker, who has been linked with a return to former clubs Barnsley and Norwich, this week hit out at the club for leaving it late to re-sign them.

But Glanford Park supremo Wharton told the Scunthorpe Telegraph : "The last conversation I had with him was a few weeks ago. He said he was going to talk to his wife and get back to me about it and he hasn't.

"I've got a good relationship with Paul and I'm very disappointed. I've always had a lot of time for him. I really do want to try to go as far as I can to try to get him to sign.

"I expected better of Paul, but it's some of the things that go on in football.

"I've met his agent and had a conversation with him. I can't think for the life of me why he would stoop to saying some of those things."