Scunthorpe have appointed ex-Bury boss Alan Knill to take over at Glanford Park ahead of the Irons' Championship trip to Norwich tomorrow.

Knill, along with assistant Chris Brass and goalkeeping coach Neil Cutler, have agreed rolling contracts – although the club's hierarchy have yet to decide if they will be in charge for the trip to Carrow Road.

'That's a decision (caretaker manager) Tony Daws and Alan Knill will have to make,' said general manager David Beeby. 'The club are happy either way – should that be Alan says Tony can take charge and he watches from the stands, or Alan wants to get stuck in straight away and take charge himself.'

Beeby revealed Knill was Scunthorpe's number one target after estblishing Bury as League Two promotion candidates since taking over at Gigg Lane in 2008.

'We're delighted to appoint Alan Knill as manager,' he said 'Sixty people were interested in taking the role. We narrowed that down to two or three candidates, who we spoke to. Alan Knill was always number one choice.'

Knill's confirmed appointment was welcomed by Norwich's former League One title-winner Michael Nelson, who makes his first return to Carrow Road this weekend since a New Year exit.

'I think the general feeling amongst the lads has been one of keenness to get somebody in on a permanent basis. It's very difficult for us as players coming in and not knowing whether there will be manager at the training ground or not,' he said.

'But there's not much we can do about that. The time it has taken has been purely and simply down to the club making sure that they appointed the right man. Now they have done that and it's now down to us to ensure that the fans see an improvement in performances.'

Nelson admitted some of Scunthorpe's playing squad were unsettled following previous boss Ian Baraclough's departure.

'A few of the younger lads have been a little unsure what's been happening since the departure of Bara,' he said. 'For them it's been the first time they have seen something like this - having come through the system here at Glanford Park it's a completely new experience.

'It's been down to the likes of myself, Joe (Murphy) and the senior pros to tell them that nothing we could have done would have affected the decisions at boardroom level. We just have to keep our heads down get on with our own jobs. Now that the new team are in place it's down to us to prove ourselves and show we are worth a place in the team.'