Scunthorpe v Bury preview

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Scunthorpe midfielder Sean McAllister is not expected to overcome a rib injury in time for the home game against Bury.

McAllister missed last week’s win at Torquay after taking a knee to the ribs the previous week against Wycombe, but is hoping to be fit in time for next Friday’s game at Morecambe.

Striker Deon Burton is in contention after stepping off the bench last week following a two-month injury lay-off due to a calf injury and boss Russ Wilcox has no new selection issues.

The Iron, in second place and level on points with leaders Rochdale, are hoping to extend their unbeaten run to 26 matches.

Bury will have to fill their right-back void after Frederic Veseli’s loan spell ended ahead of their trip to in-form Scunthorpe.

The defender has been on loan at the JD Stadium for the entire calendar year but has since returned to parent club Ipswich following last weekend’s 2-0 win over Exeter.

Phil Picken, who has not played since September, has suffered a fresh setback to his knee injury in a behind-closed-doors friendly, and will not be able to slot in to Veseli’s berth so either Craig Jones or Chris Sedgwick may have to swap positions.

Midfielder Tommy Miller could also play more of a role after coming off the bench against Exeter following recent thigh and ankle problems.

Scunthorpe v Bury preview

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Scunthorpe midfielder Josh Walker returns to contention following suspension, but skipper Paul Reid is set to begin a three-match ban despite appealing Saturday’s red card.

Walker missed Saturday’s home draw with Notts County after reaching five yellow cards, while Reid, who missed the first three months of the season due to a hand injury, was shown a straight red card at the weekend following his aerial challenge with County’s Yoann Arquin.

Manager Brian Laws will also be without midfielder David Prutton, who sits out the final game of his three-match ban, and centre-half David Mirfin is out for up to eight weeks with knee ligament damage.

Midfielder Damien Mozika made his first start of the season against County following a long-term ankle injury and is likely to continue.

Nathan Ellington, signed on loan from Ipswich last week, is hoping to play a bigger role after stepping off the bench at the weekend as the Iron, unbeaten in the league since Laws returned to the club three games ago, look to climb out of the bottom four with victory.

Bury will continue to be without strikers Andy Bishop and David Healy.

Bishop missed Saturday’s 2-0 defeat at Colchester with a torn foot muscle, while Healy has failed to shake off a calf injury picked up on international duty with Northern Ireland.

The Shakers drew a blank at the Colchester Community Stadium, but manager Kevin Blackwell is likely to keep faith with loanees Dominic Poleon and Tom Hooper to deliver the attacking threat.

Blackwell will also be without Lenell John-Lewis who remains at least two weeks away from a first-team return from a hamstring injury.

Meanwhile, defender Phil Picken is ruled out for the season with a knee problem.

Efe Sodje sealed Bury’s 3-1 victory at Glanford Park last season, but the former Nigeria international will be made to settle for a place on the bench this time around.

Scunthorpe v Bury preview

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Scunthorpe defenders Cliff Byrne and Paul Reid could return to the squad for the home game against the Shakers.

Byrne has missed the last two games and fellow centre-half Reid has been sidelined for the last four. Both players have been struggling with groin injuries.

Despite their pending return, manager Alan Knill is likely to stick with Niall Canavan and Shane Duffy, on loan from Everton, in central defence.

Jimmy Ryan is expected to start again following his recovery from a cruciate knee ligament injury. The former Accrington midfielder played for 80 minutes last week and is still building up his match fitness.

Oliver Norwood sits out the final game of his three-match ban, while fellow midfielder Damien Mozika (foot), goalkeeper Josh Lillis (knee) and striker Matt Godden (hip/hernia) remain sidelined.

Bury will be without left-back Joe Skarz for the trip to the Iron.

Skarz, a summer signing from Huddersfield, was sent off for two bookable offences in Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Brentford and, subsequently, will serve a one-match ban.

Otherwise, manager Richie Barker has no injury or suspension worries as the Shakers look to continue their recent impressive form.

Mark Carrington made his debut against the Bees after suffering from a blood clot in his leg and should again be in the XI.

Lenell John-Lewis, meanwhile, is pushing for a starting berth after coming off the bench to net a late equaliser in Saturday’s clash.

The Shakers have lost just one of their last five league games, of which they have emerged victorious in three.