Welcoming Deon Burton back into the fold, United manager Russ Wilcox is relishing a potential selection headache up front as his side welcomes Preston.
The former Sheffield Wednesday striker sat out Tuesday’s giant-killing over Championship side Blackburn Rovers as a precaution following a flare up of the injury he picked up against Carlton Town in pre-season, but after training on Thursday, he is set to be welcomed back into the fold at the weekend.However, following an impressive first competitive start for the club for Lyle Taylor and Paddy Madden already off the mark in terms of goals for the season, a tough decision will have to be made who begins the game up front.
“It’s a good thing,” he stated to The Iron Player.
“I don’t think I’ve got too many headaches with the squad down to bare bones already with a few injuries. I’ve had to bring in the youngsters to the bench, which is a great experience for them, but we need to get one or two bodies in the building as soon as we possibly can.”
He added: “I’m not sure if that will happen before the weekend, but we will work as hard as we can.”
The Scunthorpe manager has targets in mind though, but will not jump at a deal if it is not the right move for the club, with a signing unlikely before the second bout of league fixtures this weekend.
He said: “We’ve thrown a few names around the table and I’ll speak to the Chairman this afternoon (Thursday). If we can’t bring anybody in before the weekend, we will go with the same squad as at Blackburn and hope we get the same result.
“We’re looking at all avenues, whether a loan spell or a permanent deal. I’m not going to lie, we’re not having much joy at the moment – certainly in the loan avenue. With the Premiership season not started yet, those clubs don’t want to let their players out yet.”
He added: “We won’t rush into anything, because I think it’s important we are bringing the right people into the club, but if we don’t for this weekend, we will try again next week.”
Reinforcements won’t be needed, however, for striker Deon Burton, goalkeeper Sam Slocombe and defender Niall Canavan though after they are set to be passed fit to play this weekend.
Burton was rested at Blackburn, while the latter two both picked up shoulder knocks in that fixture. Nevertheless, Wilcox expects all three to be available.
“We’re hoping that Deon will be okay,” he continued.
“He just has a little bit of bone bruising, but we are hoping he is going to be fit and available for the weekend. That’s the same scenario for Sam and Niall, they will be fine. They have a bit of bruising that you’ll take; just a contact injury.”
He added: “They’re both good lads and will just get on with it.”
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