Iron manager Russ Wilcox is eyeing Tuesday night’s Johnstone’s Paint Trophy home clash with Notts County as the perfect opportunity to ‘bounce straight back’.
United head into the game off the back of a 2-1 derby defeat to local rivals Doncaster Rovers on Saturday, after the visiting side came from behind to take all three points at Glanford Park.The competition provides something of a welcome distraction from what is proving to be a testing League One campaign, and Wilcox told The Iron Player: “Every game you look at in a positive frame of mind, and it’s a chance to bounce straight back.
“That’s the important thing. We haven’t got to wait another week and be disappointed for another seven days.
“We can be disappointed, but the opportunity to get through in a Cup competition on Tuesday is one we’re going to grasp with both hands.”
The claret and blue have impressive recent pedigree in the competition, having reached the 2009 Final at Wembley before losing out to Luton Town in a thrilling contest.
Three members of the current United squad were involved that day, and Wilcox admitted: “It’s important to try and do well in that competition as it’s one we can hopefully progress in.
“We’ll find out who’s got bumps and bruises, but we’re looking to put a strong team out. Nigel [Adkins] has been to the Final as it’s only League One and League Two teams involved, so I’ll putting out a team to hopefully get through.”
One player whose availability for the meeting with the Magpies remains firmly in the balance is Lyle Taylor, with the striker continuing his rehabilitation from a groin injury suffered in the defeat against Leyton Orient last month.
While Taylor is edging closer to a return to first team action, Wilcox is wary of rushing him back too soon, as he explained: “He’s done a couple of training sessions, but there’s still a little concern there with a slight niggle and some discomfort.
“We’re not sure, so we’ll assess that again and see where we go. Fingers crossed he’s not going to be too long, but if he’s still feeling discomfort in there then he’s going to be a doubt for Tuesday night.”
See much more from Russ Wilcox, and others, on The Iron Player.