Scunthorpe v Colchester preview

admin

Scunthorpe’s latest signing Chris Sedgwick could make his first start for the club in the home game against Colchester.

The former Preston and Sheffield Wednesday midfielder has made brief cameo appearances at the end of last Saturday’s win at Shrewsbury and the midweek draw at Oldham after arriving on a non-contract basis.

Skipper Paul Reid has taken a big step towards a return to the side after returning to full training this week after breaking a bone in his hand, but Niall Canavan is expected to continue alongside David Mirfin in central defence.

Striker Mike Grella is pushing for a recall but is likely to have to bide his time on the bench due to the form of loan signings Leon Clarke, who has scored in all three appearances since arriving from Charlton, and Karl Hawley, on loan from Notts County.

Alan Knill’s side have taken four points from their last two league games, both away, and are chasing their first home league win of the season.

Colchester boast a clean bill of health.

The U’s have yet to taste victory in any competition this season although they did stop the rot of three successive defeats with Tuesday’s 1-1 draw at home to Crawley.

That could convince manager John Ward to keep faith with an unchanged XI at Glanford Park against a Scunthorpe side whose sole league victory this term has come on their travels.

Midfielder Anthony Wordsworth and experienced striker Clinton Morrison were both recalled in midweek as Andy Bond and Freddie Sears dropped to the bench.

History is not on Colchester’s side as they go into the encounter having won only one of their previous 14 meetings with the Iron while their last success at Glanford Park came way back in 1995.

Scunthorpe v Colchester preview

admin

Scunthorpe boss Alan Knill could hand a debut to new signing Damien Mozika against Colchester.

Knill raided his old club Bury for Mozika after the Shakers finally accepted a fourth bid for the midfielder from their npower League One rivals.

Mozika has signed a two-year deal at Scunthorpe with the option for a further year in the club’s favour and is set to be passed fit after a recent calf strain.

Midfielder Michael O’Connor has missed the last two games with a muscle strain but comes back into contention to bolster a squad still missing Cliff Byrne (back), Jordan Robertson (ankle) and Matty Godden (groin).

Defender Niall Canavan and Everton loanee Shane Duffy are on international duty with Republic of Ireland Under-21s, while midfielder Oliver Norwood is away with Northern Ireland Under-21s.

Meanwhile Colchester manager John Ward is likely to revert back to the same XI who saw off Oldham last Saturday.

Following the convincing 4-1 victory over the Latics – the club’s first win since the opening day – Ward freshened up his side with six changes for the midweek Johnstone’s Paint Trophy tie against Barnet.

But he was left disappointed by what he saw as the League Two outfit ran out 3-1 winners at the Weston Homes Community Stadium.

That means Magnus Okuonghae, Ben Coker, John-Joe O’Toole, Kayode Odejayi, Anthony Wordsworth and Mark Cousins are all set to come back in.

The only poser for Ward may be the latter and the goalkeeping battle between Cousins and Ben Williams, who started his first game of the season in midweek having overcome a serious viral infection picked up over the summer.

New signing Tom Aldred will compete for a place in United’s matchday 16, but forward Ashley Vincent (knee) as well as youngsters Jordan Sanderson (foot) and Bradley Hamilton (fractured cheekbone) miss out.

Scunthorpe v Colchester preview

admin

Scunthorpe boss Alan Knill could hand a debut to new signing Damien Mozika against Colchester.

Knill raided his old club Bury for Mozika after the Shakers finally accepted a fourth bid for the midfielder from their npower League One rivals.

Mozika has signed a two-year deal at Scunthorpe with the option for a further year in the club’s favour and is set to be passed fit after a recent calf strain.

Midfielder Michael O’Connor has missed the last two games with a muscle strain but comes back into contention to bolster a squad still missing Cliff Byrne (back), Jordan Robertson (ankle) and Matty Godden (groin).

Defender Niall Canavan and Everton loanee Shane Duffy are on international duty with Republic of Ireland Under-21s, while midfielder Oliver Norwood is away with Northern Ireland Under-21s.

Meanwhile Colchester manager John Ward is likely to revert back to the same XI who saw off Oldham last Saturday.

Following the convincing 4-1 victory over the Latics – the club’s first win since the opening day – Ward freshened up his side with six changes for the midweek Johnstone’s Paint Trophy tie against Barnet.

But he was left disappointed by what he saw as the League Two outfit ran out 3-1 winners at the Weston Homes Community Stadium.

That means Magnus Okuonghae, Ben Coker, John-Joe O’Toole, Kayode Odejayi, Anthony Wordsworth and Mark Cousins are all set to come back in.

The only poser for Ward may be the latter and the goalkeeping battle between Cousins and Ben Williams, who started his first game of the season in midweek having overcome a serious viral infection picked up over the summer.

New signing Tom Aldred will compete for a place in United’s matchday 16, but forward Ashley Vincent (knee) as well as youngsters Jordan Sanderson (foot) and Bradley Hamilton (fractured cheekbone) miss out.