Iron boss Mark Robins has provided an update on some of the squad members who have been out with injury lately.
Dave Syers made a scoring return for the reserves on Wednesday and, while Robins did not want to rush the midfielder back, he hoped he could still play a part this season.Robins told The Iron Player: “It is more important that he gets fits. He's been out for the season so there is no way he is anywhere near fit yet, but it's great to see him back on pitch.
“He's had a horrendous time with injury and any time you're out injured for a length of time, it's a lonely road back.
“He's had help from the staff and the medical department and the strength and conditioning people, but it's still a lonely road, so he's worked hard to get to the stage he's at now.
“He got himself in the customary positions in the box and finished them off, so he will be pleased with that because it doesn't do you any harm getting back into a rhythm and he's started to do that.
“From now on he's got time to really put himself in the frame before now and the end of the season, and give us some extra help and another body in the squad.
“He's capable and has been a big miss as he gets himself in some good positions and the ball falls to him, he's got that happy knack.”
Fellow midfielder Neal Bishop has had an operation on a hernia problem and is back running again, and Robins was hopeful he would be back swiftly.
The Iron boss said: “We've obviously lost Bish, I think he's out running again, so hopefully he will be back sooner rather than later.
“I think he may miss the next two or three games, but he's looking okay. Apart from that we're as you were.
“There's still no James Severn and Sam Slocombe's joining in training again, so I'm hoping he will be joining us next week.”
Robins will have defender Conor Townsend available in the coming weeks though as his loan from Hull has been extended until the end of the campaign.
The defender adds competition and strength for the Iron, following fellow left back Marcus Williams’ return from injury, and Robins was pleased with this department.
He said: “He's done okay and we know that we need competition. We've got Marcus Williams and now Conor, which should see us through to the end of the season.”