Midfielder Sean McAllister missed Tuesday night’s home draw with Southend United due to a slight calf strain, manager Russ Wilcox confirmed following the game.
It was the first time since the opening day of the season McAllister had not been in the starting line-up, but the Iron boss didn’t want to risk the man who has quickly become a fans favourite.Wilcox told The Iron Player: “He picked up a little bit of a calf strain on Monday. He had a fitness test on Tuesday afternoon and it was touch and go.
“We made the decision to leave him out with the hope that he’d miss this one game but be available for the next 10.
“You have got to say on the back of that that Matt Sparrow has come into the side, chomping at the bit.
“These players have been different class, those on the fringes have drove our first team on even more.”
Sparrow, who scored the opener on Tuesday night, formed an excellent partnership alongside Dave Syers in the centre of midfield.
However, Wilcox was slightly concerned as the partnership would work as they are both extremely similar players.
He said: “Matt and Dave are very similar so I was a little concerned that they would both get beyond the ball and that would leave us short on the edge of the area.
“It was a disciplined display from them tonight and Matt topped it off with a terrific goal.”
United’s second goal came courtesy of Sam Winnall, however, there is a bit of confusion as to whether he got a touch on the ball.
Gary McSheffrey whipped in a deep free kick and Winnall claims he got a touch on the ball but Southend defenders blocked the view from the camera.
Winnall claimed the goal at half time as he walked down the tunnel, but Wilcox said he didn’t care who scored it – the main point was that it went in.
The Iron boss explained: “I’m not sure whether it came off Sam and I’ve looked at it a few times.
“There are defenders in the way but at the end of the day that is what strikers will do."
“I’m not that bothered to be honest, all I know is that it put us 2-0 up and in a strong position,” he continued.
“We work on that all the time so it is great to see it come off.
“It’s a great delivery from McSheffrey and it has made the goalkeeper wait because he doesn’t know if anyone will get a touch on the ball."
Wilcox added: “He can’t gamble until he knows for sure.”
See much more from Russ Wilcox, Matt Sparrow and Gary McSheffrey on The Iron Player.