Scunthorpe v Brentford preview

admin

Scunthorpe skipper Paul Reid has suffered a setback in his bid to return to action and will be absent again.

Reid has yet to appear for the Iron this season after breaking a bone in his hand in the summer and although he has returned to the substitutes’ bench in recent weeks the central defender tweaked his groin on Tuesday and missed out on a behind-closed-doors friendly.

Manager Alan Knill is hoping striker Karl Hawley returns to fitness after missing last week’s defeat at Stevenage due to an ankle injury and midfielder David Prutton is back in contention following suspension.

Defender Callum Kennedy (fractured toe) came through the midweek friendly unscathed and could be included in the squad for the first time since August.

Long-term absentee Michael Collins edged closer to his first appearance of the season in midweek, playing for 45 minutes in the same match after struggling with an Achilles problem.

Fellow midfielder Damien Mozika (ankle) is also making steady progress in his rehabilitation and could soon return to full training with the first team squad.

Farid El Alagui remains Brentford’s only injury absentee.

The striker faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines after suffering a knee injury during last weekend’s 2-1 win over Crawley.

Paul Hayes and Clayton Donaldson started in attack in Tuesday night’s JPT win over the same opposition and are set to keep their places.

Boss Uwe Rosler has selection dilemmas elsewhere, however, with goalkeeper Richard Lee keeping a clean sheet on his return to the team and out-of-favour midfielder Sam Saunders grabbing the only goal.

Keeper Simon Moore, defenders Jake Bidwell and Shaleum Logan and midfielders Jonathan Douglas and Adam Forshaw were rested in midweek and will be pushing to return to the starting XI.

Scunthorpe v Brentford preview

admin

Scunthorpe midfielder Jimmy Ryan could return to contention.

Ryan has started only four games since first damaging knee ligaments in September, but returned to full training recently after a series of injections and may be included in the squad.

Manager Alan Knill has no new injury or suspension problems following Tuesday night’s home defeat to Walsall, but after naming an unchanged side for three consecutive matches he could be tempted to make changes.

Fit-again midfielder Damian Mozika (ankle) and defender Cliff Byrne (groin) were both unused substitutes against Walsall after shaking off injuries, while Andy Barcham and Bobby Grant both appeared in the second half and give Knill alternative options up front.

On-loan trio Jon Parkin, David Mirfin and Jamie Reckford look set to continue, but midfielder Michael Collins (Achilles), plus strikers Connor Jennings (foot) and Matt Godden (hip) are still out.

Brentford are sweating on injuries to Gary Alexander and Shaleum Logan.

Striker Alexander limped out of Monday’s 4-0 win over Carlisle with a hip injury.

He was replaced by West Brom loanee Saido Berahino, who went on to score two goals which may have earned him a place in the starting line-up.

Defender Logan also came off with a groin problem and is a major doubt, with Adam Thompson on standby to fill in at right-back.

Goalkeeper Richard Lee was replaced by Simon Moore at half-time as he was feeling unwell, but the Bees’ regular number one hopes to be available.

Boss Uwe Rosler has agreed the loan signing of 20-year-old Everton midfielder Adam Forshaw.