Speaking to iFollow Iron, manager Paul Hurst has previewed the home clash against Northampton Town this Saturday (3pm kick-off).
The boss revealed there are six players who will miss the game, but he didn’t want to reveal the names and alert the opposition to the possible selection.
The manager said: “We still have six players out for Saturday. When I wrote my programme notes earlier in the week, I was more hopeful than it has quite turned out but we will still be able to put a team out that’s more than competitive.
“I’m not going to reveal too much and apologies for that, but I don’t want to give Keith (Curle) and Northampton too much of a heads-up. We have six lads missing from the game and a couple probably back as well, so it’s almost balancing itself out in terms of options.
“We’ve also had a bit of illness again, but we’re pretty much clear in my mind in the way I’d like to go, but we’ll have to check that I’m able to do so ahead of Saturday.”
James Perch (hip flexor) and Ryan Colclough (foot) both came off during the 2-2 draw at Plymouth Argyle last weekend, and Hurst provided an update on their progress this week.
He continued: “Perchy’s sore but not as bad as we thought, so we’ll check him. It was one that stiffened up quite quickly from the weekend. We didn’t want to make him worse and had to make that change.
“Ryan kicked the bottom of his foot, which is always going to be sore as many people will know having done that before themselves. It’s an impact injury rather than muscular so that gives you more of a chance of being fit.”
Hurst added: “It’s been another week of training where the players have looked sharp and bright, and I’ve been happy with them - certainly in the last few weeks in particular. I feel like we’re progressing and can see improvement. I can see some players look like they’re gaining in confidence, so we’re looking forward to the Northampton game.”
Andy Butler and Andy Dales received game time in the Under-23s clash at Port Vale in midweek, as the duo recover from illness and injuries respectively.
The manager said: “A major part of the Under-23s is to try and develop some of the younger players, but at the same time it’s also an opportunity to give some of the first team squad a game - whether that’s because of injury, illness or they’ve just been out of the team.
“We managed to get some minutes into some players there and I’m sure that will be the case moving forward at various points, especially when the lads have just had two games in quick succession as well.”
Previewing the game against the Cobblers, who sit 14th in the division, Hurst said: “Keith (Curle) has been there a little while now and brought a lot of players in during the summer to put his stamp on it. He’s spoken about challenging for that top seven and being in with a shout of promotion. They’ve had some very good results, and one or two they won’t have been as pleased with, but they certainly have some good experienced players in there. (Former Iron player) Charlie Goode could return too after missing out through illness last week.
“They have some good players and certainly a threat at the top end of the pitch in Sam Hoskins, Andy Williams, Nicky Adams - lads who have been there and done it. We know we’re going to have to be at our best.”
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