MATCH PREVIEW: GRIMSBY TOWN (H)
Posted on: Fri 01 Aug 2008
United face their final game of pre-season on Saturday when Grimsby Town visit for the final of this season's Lincolnshire Senior Cup (3pm kick-off).
And manager Nigel Adkins is expected to name a strong team for the game, although he is unlikely to field the side which will start the season against Leeds United a week later.
Set for a run-out in goal is Josh Lillis, who will be deputising in the absence of groin injury victim Joe Murphy - whose return the club are yet to put a time scale on.
"It's an interesting scenario," said Adkins, speaking on Iron World. "Joe is responding really well at this moment in time.
"I've got every confidence in Josh, he will start. A lot of clubs now have five outfield players on the bench - whether Joe is only going to be out for a week or not, we'll have to wait and see how we go about it.
"We might even go and bring another young goalkeeper in on a permanent basis to develop. We will just have to wait and see.
"We've got the flexibility of having (goalkeeping coach) Kevin Pressman, who could sit on the bench if it's one or two games.
"The scenario would be totally different if Josh got injured as well, but he now has the opportunity to play. It's whether we've got sufficient back-up for Josh at this moment in time.
"We've explored a few options, but at the moment we're quite happy with what we're doing.
"For me, Josh is ready and he needs to play league football now."
Also missing out will be defenders Joe Wilcox and Andy Crosby, both suffering from knee injuries.
Elsewhere, though, every available player is expected to receive another run-out in the fifth match of pre-season.
Grant McCann will be looking for more match time after playing his first 45 minutes of pre-season in the home defeat to Sheffield United last week after recovering from a foot injury.
Grimsby enter the fixture on the back of their 1-0 semi-final success against Lincoln City on Tuesday night, and have injury doubts over former Scunthorpe loan winger Peter Till - who missed the midweek match with a groin problem.
Midfielder Danny Boshell (ankle) also missed out, while Paul Bolland was struggling with a hamstring problem and Danny North had a tight hamstring.
Both sides met at Blundell Park at this stage of the last pre-season, drawing 1-1 at Blundell Park. Andy Crosby's opener was cancelled out by an own goal from former Mariner Andy Butler.
The game kicks off at 3pm and admission costs £8 adults and £4 concessions. All stands barring the Grove Wharf are open for the fixture.
Should the scores remain level after 90 minutes the match will go to penalties.
Scunthorpe have won the competition on 17 occasions, the last time coming in April when they defeated Lincoln City 5-0 at Glanford Park.
And manager Nigel Adkins is expected to name a strong team for the game, although he is unlikely to field the side which will start the season against Leeds United a week later.
Set for a run-out in goal is Josh Lillis, who will be deputising in the absence of groin injury victim Joe Murphy - whose return the club are yet to put a time scale on.
"It's an interesting scenario," said Adkins, speaking on Iron World. "Joe is responding really well at this moment in time.
"I've got every confidence in Josh, he will start. A lot of clubs now have five outfield players on the bench - whether Joe is only going to be out for a week or not, we'll have to wait and see how we go about it.
"We might even go and bring another young goalkeeper in on a permanent basis to develop. We will just have to wait and see.
"We've got the flexibility of having (goalkeeping coach) Kevin Pressman, who could sit on the bench if it's one or two games.
"The scenario would be totally different if Josh got injured as well, but he now has the opportunity to play. It's whether we've got sufficient back-up for Josh at this moment in time.
"We've explored a few options, but at the moment we're quite happy with what we're doing.
"For me, Josh is ready and he needs to play league football now."
Also missing out will be defenders Joe Wilcox and Andy Crosby, both suffering from knee injuries.
Elsewhere, though, every available player is expected to receive another run-out in the fifth match of pre-season.
Grant McCann will be looking for more match time after playing his first 45 minutes of pre-season in the home defeat to Sheffield United last week after recovering from a foot injury.
Grimsby enter the fixture on the back of their 1-0 semi-final success against Lincoln City on Tuesday night, and have injury doubts over former Scunthorpe loan winger Peter Till - who missed the midweek match with a groin problem.
Midfielder Danny Boshell (ankle) also missed out, while Paul Bolland was struggling with a hamstring problem and Danny North had a tight hamstring.
Both sides met at Blundell Park at this stage of the last pre-season, drawing 1-1 at Blundell Park. Andy Crosby's opener was cancelled out by an own goal from former Mariner Andy Butler.
The game kicks off at 3pm and admission costs £8 adults and £4 concessions. All stands barring the Grove Wharf are open for the fixture.
Should the scores remain level after 90 minutes the match will go to penalties.
Scunthorpe have won the competition on 17 occasions, the last time coming in April when they defeated Lincoln City 5-0 at Glanford Park.
