V50 G/box : Second gear selection issue

[ev50]

Good afternoon, I have just joined & hope to be as much use to others as I can be but for the moment I have a couple of issues with my recent purchase of a v50 manual 1.6 D Drive ES 2011 vintage, here is the first one.

I sort of think I have an idea what the issue is but any help would be greatly appreciated as (aside of a couple of clutch swaps) I have had to deal with very few drivetrain issues over the 30+ years I have been tinkering.

The car is (with varying severity) difficult to get into second & has just got a whole lot worse.

It always seemed to only have the issue going down into second but was much better going up, now it is both ways so pulling out into traffic can be a lottery!

Here are the facts:

There is no hydraulic leak.

The issue is no better with rev matching/double de-clutching.

There is no grind/graunch when/if it eventually goes in, but due to the force I end up using there is a bit of a clunk, which I don't think is significant.

If the car is stationary with the engine running & clutch pedal down then manage to get it into second, I can put it in/out several times with less issues until I need it again.

If I keep pressure on the gearchange it doesn't "pop" in, I need to try, try, & try again until it either goes in or I have to go back to first to maintain progress, then try again or go for third.