United travel to Wiltshire this Saturday for a highly anticipated League One encounter against promotion hopefuls Swindon Town (3.00pm).
Paolo Di Canio’s men currently occupy the final play-off place and are nine points behind leaders Tranmere Rovers.
The Robins have only lost once in their last seven league games and that came against struggling Colchester United in Joe Dunne’s second game in charge following the sacking of John Ward.
The Wiltshire club, who were promoted from League Two as champions last season, will be aiming for back to back promotions under the leadership of the former West Ham United legend.
Despite much interest from other clubs – including Bolton Wanderers – over the past week, Di Canio seems set to stay with the Robbins after enjoying much success since he took the reins at the County Ground.
They achieved their greatest feat in 1993 when Glenn Hoddle led the club to their highest point, with promotion to the Premier League. This came after a dramatic 4-3 win over Leicester City in the first Division play-off.
Hoddle never managed the Robbins in the top flight after he left the club, to take over at Chelsea. Their stint in England’s top flight was short lived, as they were relegated after just one season as they won only five fixtures that season and conceded 100 goals. Out of the very few successes that the club had in the 1993-94 season they managed to hold Manchester United to a 2-2 draw.
Times didn’t get much better for Swindon the following season when they were relegated for the second successive year from the First Division.
The Iron have no new injury concerns ahead of this weekend’s fixture.
Manager Alan Knill is hoping that club captain Paul Reid will be back for selection despite missing the midweek behind closed doors fixture against Burnley.
He, along with striker Karl Hawley (who has missed the last fortnight with an ankle problem) returned to training on Thursday.
Stand-in captain David Mirfin will miss the Swindon match – with a one match suspension – after he was sent off for a second bookable offence in the latter stages of Saturday’s 1-1 home draw against Brentford.
Former Swindon defender Callum Kennedy will be hoping to push for a recall against his former club on Saturday after returning to action as a substitute in last weekend’s match after six weeks out with a broken toe.
The game could also see strikers Leon Clarke and Mike Grella, plus midfielder David Prutton, face one of their former clubs.
The last time the two sides met was in February 2009 when the Iron lost 4-2 at the County Ground. On that day both Cliff Byrne and David Mirfin were dismissed after goals from Gary Hooper and Henri Lansbury gave Nigel Adkins’ side a 2-0 lead.
Four goals in 23 minutes from the home side then wrapped up victory for Danny Wilson’s side.