Scunthorpe v Sheff Utd preview

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Scunthorpe defender Marcus Williams could return for the home game against his former club Sheffield United.

Williams (back) has missed the last three games but is hoping to be in contention and manager Mark Robins must decide on whether to recall him to the starting line-up or stick Conor Townsend, on loan from Hull, at left-back.

Skipper Neal Bishop is pushing for a place in the starting XI after returning to the bench following suspension in last week’s defeat at Crewe, while Luke Daniels will continue in goal as both Sam Slocombe and James Severn are recovering from broken arms.

The Iron have taken only two points from their last five games and are chasing their first win in six.

Sheffield United will be without suspended defender Chris Basham, who starts a two-game ban after reaching 10 yellow cards, and boss Nigel Clough is short of cover in central defence.

Terry Kennedy (knee) is expected to be sidelined for at least another two weeks and Jay McEveley has not trained this week due to a shoulder problem, so John Brayford could partner Craig Alcock at the heart of defence.

Midfielder Stefan Scougall (knee), winger Ryan Flynn (hamstring), goalkeeper Mark Howard (back) and striker Michael Higdon (hamstring) all remain sidelined and Jason Holt is not yet ready to return.

The Blades, who last won at Scunthorpe in 1959, are bidding to avoid a third straight defeat.

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Scunthorpe v Sheff Utd preview

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Scunthorpe winger Etienne Esajas could make his first start for the club in their midweek trophy clash.

Esajas, a free summer signing following his release from Swindon, has been restricted to two substitute appearances so far this season after recovering from a hamstring injury.

Striker Chris Iwelumo will play no part due to the knee injury that kept him out of the weekend draw with Newport and skipper Michael Collins (knee) is not expected to feature, so Eddie Newton could resume in midfield.

Loan signing Jimmy Spencer is in contention for his first start since his recent arrival from Huddersfield, but boss Brian Laws could stick with Sam Winnall and Deon Burton up front.

New signing Florent Cuvelier is expected to be included in the Blades’ squad for their trip to Yorkshire and the Humber.

Belgian midfielder Cuvelier signed a three-year deal on Monday following his arrival from Stoke and could make his Blades debut.

Winger Febian Brandy sits out the first game of a three-match ban following his straight red card late on in the weekend defeat to MK Dons, but manager David Weir has no new injury problems.

Weir hinted at making several changes for the first-round tie and that could mean starts for the likes of teenage pair Joe Ironside and Callum McFadzean, midfielder Stephen McGinn and defender Sean McGinty.

Scunthorpe v Sheff Utd preview

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Scunthorpe will welcome Josh Walker back from suspension for their clash with Sheffield United.

Walker served a one-match ban in midweek following his red card against Hartlepool and will return to the midfield against the Blades.

Skipper Paul Reid is still sidelined with his hand injury but is expected to be fully fit in the next week.

Callum Kennedy has returned to light training after his toe injury but the game comes too soon for a return.

Damien Mozika (ankle) and Michael Collins (tendonitis) remain sidelined with their injuries.

Jimmy Ryan, who was forced off with a knock last weekend, completed 20 minutes from the bench in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy defeat to Notts County and is expected to return to the first XI as Alan Knill’s side look for their first win of the season.

Sheffield United have no new injury concerns.

Darryl Westlake is back in contention after overcoming a thigh problem and could make his first appearance of the season.

Deadline-day signing Dave Kitson will not be considered for selection as he is still working on his fitness.

Fellow striker Chris Porter remains sidelined with a knee problem and is not yet ready for a return.

Manager Danny Wilson has no other injury worries and is likely to name an unchanged line-up from the side that beat Bournemouth 5-3 last weekend.

Strike-duo John Cofie and Nick Blackman will continue a partnership which has yielded four goals in their last three games.

Ryan Flynn will continue in midfield after scoring twice on his return from injury.

Scunthorpe v Sheff Utd preview

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Scunthorpe have been dealt a massive blow after goalkeeper Josh Lillis was ruled out for up to three months with damaged knee ligaments.

The stopper picked up the injury in his right knee during Saturday’s 1-1 home draw with Colchester.

With Jake Turner on loan at Brigg Town, it leaves Sam Slocombe as the only goalkeeper presently in the squad, and manager Alan Knill searching for another on loan.

Knill is already without skipper Cliff Bryne, who remains some way off a return after being sidelined by a back injury, while striker Bobby Grant serves a one-match ban.

Midfielder Michael Collins will also miss out with an Achilles injury, along with Jordan Robertson (ankle) and Matty Godden (groin).

Sheffield United manager Danny Wilson is hoping to have Elian Parrino available despite the defender nursing a broken nose.

The 23-year-old Argentinian, whose only appearance of the season came at Burton in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy, sustained the injury while playing for the reserves in midweek but could be available.

Wilson, whose side will look to maintain their unbeaten start to the season, is also able to call on midfielder Lee Williamson, who started on the bench last week following a thigh injury.

But fellow midfielders Nick Montgomery and Kevin McDonald are still struggling with ankle injuries and remain sidelined.

Norwegian Erik Tonne is hoping to play a bigger role in midfield following his goal after stepping off the bench in last week’s 4-0 win over Bury.

Scunthorpe v Sheff Utd preview

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Scunthorpe manager Ian Baraclough will assess midfielder Josh Wright.

The former Charlton man sustained a knock to his thigh during Saturday’s goalless draw at home to Derby and was replaced midway through the second half.

Baraclough said: “Nobody wants to be out of the team at the moment and for a team that’s second bottom that gives me hope and belief that we can get out of this.”

The Iron boss will also check on striker Chris Dagnall and defender Eddie Nolan after they missed the Rams clash with knee and calf problems.

However, Joe Murphy, Rob Jones, Niall Canavan, Michael O’Connor, Garry Thompson and Cliff Byrne are all unlikely to return due to their respective injuries.

Sheffield United defender Rob Kozluk returns to contention at Scunny following a three-match suspension.

But Kozluk’s availability offers only a small ray of light on an extensive injury list at Bramall Lane.

Defender Shane Lowry, on loan from Aston Villa, is struggling with a thigh strain and is doubtful.

Manager Micky Adams could hand late fitness tests to midfielder Lee Williamson (back) and strikers Richard Cresswell (knee) and Sam Vokes (hamstring).

Otherwise Adams has no new injury or suspension problems from the weekend defeat at Crystal Palace as he chases his first win as Blades boss in his 11th game in charge.

However, long-term absentees Chris Morgan and fellow defenders Andy Taylor and Ryan France, goalkeeper Richard Wright, striker Darius Henderson and midfielder Nick Montgomery all remain sidelined.