Iron assistant manager Ned Kelly expects no fresh injury problems ahead of Tuesday’s Sky Bet League One match with Chesterfield.
It will be United’s fifth time playing the Spireites this season, following one meeting in the JPT, twice in the FA Cup and once in the league at the ProAct.After beating second-placed Swindon at Glanford Park on Saturday, Scunthorpe United will go into the fixture with Paul Cook’s men full of confidence. While Cook’s men arrive looking to make amends for their defeat to Leyton Orient.
“It was an excellent result on Saturday against one of the best teams in the league,” Kelly told The Iron Player, before previewing Tuesday’s tie.
“The manager will make the decision whether we will stick with the same team or rotate it around a little bit for the meeting with Chesterfield, we have played them quite a bit this season.”
Captain Neal Bishop took a knock late on in the 3-2 win over the Robins and he was substituted, but Kelly does not think he will miss the Iron’s 29th game of the campaign.
Meanwhile Isaiah Osbourne, who missed the weekend match, remains a doubt.
Kelly said: “Bishop will be okay, it was precautionary more than anything, he had worked so hard for the team so we were just making sure he was okay so he should be fine for Chesterfield. He is definitely one of the furthest distance runners that we have in the team.
“Ozzy has had an injection, so we will see how it settles down, whether he will be okay for Tuesday evening it may be a bit soon, but if we check it and it has settled down by the morning, he could be involved.
“We will do the usual procedure, the physios at the club are very good and we will know whether he is ready to start or fit for a place on the bench, the judgement will be made.”
Two players hoping to keep their place in Mark Robins’ XI will be George Evans and Kevin van Veen. The January arrivals made their first start for the club since arriving from Man City and FC Oss respectively, both impressing.
Loan man Evans sat in front of the defence in a holding midfield role, while van Veen scored the third goal with a fine, composed finish - a lob.
He stated: “I thought George did great, he is a nice kid and has obviously had a good upbringing at a very good club and he settled into the game very well and his range of passing was excellent for us.
“Big Kev has done great, he has been introduced slowly with a couple of substitution appearances and it was a good decision by the gaffer to play him from the start on Saturday.
“Not only did he score a very good goal, he worked extremely tirelessly for the team, which is the least we expect. It is a different type of league, different type of football and he is settling very well.
“If he keeps working hard I am sure he will be a success. He came through the game very well but it has got to be mindful he has played a different type of football, he is not used to the usual hustle and bustle of League One.
“He has handled himself brilliantly and it is always nice when you get off to a good start and he impressed the supporters with a fantastic finish."
Kelly added: “We will look at him on the day to see how he is. We have no other concerns, everyone is buzzing after a good result and we will try to get our heads down and ready for Chesterfield.”