Scunthorpe v Mansfield preview

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Summer signing Andy Dawson is expected to make his second debut for the Iron in their season opener.

Dawson, who spent over four years at the club before joining Hull in 2003, returned in May and should recover from a dead leg in time.

Fellow new recruit Etienne Esajas is manager Brian Laws’ only absentee with a hamstring problem, but all nine of his other new signings are hoping to play some part.

Strikers Deon Burton and Chris Iwelumo, midfielder Sean McAllister and winger Andy Welsh are among those who could make their debuts, while Matt Sparrow, back for a second spell, may also feature.

Martin Riley is expected to be fit and give Stags manager Paul Cox a full squad to choose from on their return to Football League action against Scunthorpe.

Summer signing Riley has been nursing a dead leg but the defender should fully recover in time for Saturday’s game. One or two other players have “bumps and bruises” but Cox does not foresee any major problems.

As well as Riley, five other new signings – Jamie McGuire, Paul Black, Keiran Murtagh, John McCombe and Sam Clucas – will be hoping to make their debuts for the club. There could be another new face travelling with the squad with Cox trying to conclude a deal for a striker.

Mansfield won the Conference title last season to seal their return to the Football League after a five-year absence.