Ned Kelly insists United will show Vanarama Conference side Worcester City full respect in the second round of the FA Cup this weekend.
The 2pm kick-off on Sunday will feature as part of the BBC’s special FA Cup edition of Final Score, and the visitors will be full of confidence after beating Coventry in the first round.Carl Heeley’s side are unbeaten in their last 13 matches and eighth in the league and Kelly says the Iron should be cautious of their opponents.
“I went to see them a couple of weeks ago when we didn’t have a game on Saturday and they played very well,” the assistant manager said.
“We have had them watched in all the games since. They beat a strong Coventry team in the previous round so we will give them lots of respect. They have a lot of players who have played in the Football League and experience throughout the team.
“We’re going to be more than prepared and we are looking to get through the tie.
“I was impressed with how they played and how organised they are and we will be ready. The unbeaten run is very good but we have seen where their threats are and areas we can exploit.”
The match also represents a return to Glanford Park for the Iron for the first time in over six weeks and more than 2,000 fans will make the trip up from Worcester.
Kelly admits he is looking forward to home comforts and says the incentive of a big third round tie is enough to get through the fixture unscathed.
“It seems like so long since we played here,” he stated.
“With the Christmas period coming up, supporters have been brilliant away from home.
“It will be nice to come and in front of the home crowd. It’s better for the atmosphere inside the ground (having a large number of visitors).
“If we start well, they will be quiet. If they start well they will make some noise. It’s no different to any other game and teams with a big support base.
“All the big hitters come out in the next round and we would all like to go to Old Trafford, the Emirates and all the other big grounds.
“That’s for the future. Worcester will get all the respect they deserve because they are on a good run and we need to concentrate on this game.”
He also confirmed the availability of some of the club’s loan players, saying: “Richard (Brindley) is fit to play but we haven’t had clearance (from Rotherham. We have not been granted permission for him to play so we will have to wait until next week to put him into the squad.
“It’s a bit frustrating but it gives Terry (Hawkridge) the opportunity to show what he can do. Tezza’s been brilliant, he has been a massive bonus for us in the right-back position and he can play in a couple of other positions.
“Luke (Williams) won’t be playing, neither will Liam (O’Neil) unfortunately.
“We didn’t get permission from either of their clubs to play. We understand it, respect it and will move forward.
“Alex Davey will play which is great for him, he played extremely well on his debut last week.”
Andrew Boyce returns to contention after serving a one-match suspension and there will be at least two new faces in the line-up to replace Williams and O’Neil and Kelly said there’s a number of players pushing for a start in their absence.
He stated: “There will not be too many changes, the group is quite small if you take away the long list of injured players and the loan players who haven’t been granted permission.
“We’ll pick the best team possible to hopefully do the job and win the game.
“Haks (Adelakun) will come into that area, Billy Kee will and so will Paddy (Madden).
“Defensively I imagine whoever’s fit will be in and around the squad and Sean (McAllister) will be in consideration (to replace O’Neil).
“We probably have 18/19 fit players to choose from so we will go ahead and do the best we can.”
See much more from Ned Kelly and Neal Bishop on The Iron Player.