Victory in Saturday’s game at Exeter City will see the Iron achieve promotion back to League One at the first attempt – while a draw would also virtually be enough to go up.
Fourth-placed Fleetwood Town, who have a much inferior goal difference to United, must win their home game against Southend United at the weekend to have any chance of delaying Scunthorpe’s likely return the third tier in English Football.The Cod Army, however, have a goal difference of 11 to make up on the Iron with two games left, sitting five points behind.
Saturday’s opponents Exeter need to take something from the game if not more than United, with their League Two survival not secure yet.
The Grecians are only two points above the relegation zone albeit they have a far superior goal difference to second-from-bottom Northampton Town.
Paul Tisdale’s side are winless in their last five although they did beat Scunthorpe at Glanford Park in October.
However, United lead the head-to-head record against the South West side over 52 meetings. The Iron have won 22 of those contests as opposed to Exeter’s 16, while the other 14 finished level.
Team News: Scunthorpe United...
Iron boss Russ Wilcox has no fresh injury concerns ahead of Oxford’s visit.
Midfielder Sean McAllister looks set to miss out once again through a rib injury, though, as does Gary McSheffrey (hamstring).
However, Paul Hayes and Deon Burton will be pushing for a start.
Last line-up: Slocombe, Nolan, Mirfin, Canavan, Williams, Hawkridge, Syers, Collins, Sparrow, Madden, Winnall.
Team News: Exeter City...
The Grecians have no fresh injury concerns ahead of United’s visit.
Christy Pym looks set to continue in goal, while manager Paul Tisdale could bring in any of David Wheeler, Jimmy Keohane and Matt Gill.
Last line-up: Pym, Butterfield, Baldwin, Moore-Taylor, Woodman, Sercombe, Oakley, Bennett, Gill, Richards, Nichols.
Tisdale told Exeter’s official website (exetercityfc.co.uk): “It’s in our hands – we’re playing against a very good team next (Scunthorpe), but that shouldn’t hold any more fear for us than a game against Torquay.”