This Saturday, United will make their third away trip of the season. Following defeats at Hartlepool United and Walsall, The Iron will this time head across the country, and towards Edgeley Park. There, they will face Jim Gannon's Stockport County.

And United will make the relatively short trip up the M62 minus two of their key players. Arguably their two 'first-choice' center-back's Kenny Milne (cartilage) and Izzy Iriekpen (groin) will both miss out through injury.

This will probably give an opportunity to 'the Ox,' David Mirfin - who will be hoping to get his Iron career back on track, following his unfortunate dismissal at Walsall. Loanee Krystian Pearce should continue in the side after an impressive debut and midfielder Martyn Woolford could also push for starting berth.

Stockport County are amongst the bookies favourites for relegation this season. However, they have thus far defied the odds. Following three league games, The Hatter's remain unbeaten. Despite scoring only two goals (both courtesy of winger Tommy Rowe), the club sit in seventh position in League 1, with a tally of five points.

On the other hand, Stockport are out of the Carling Cup. In round one, they suffered a 1-0 defeat at The Walker's Stadium against Leicester (but did play much of the game with ten-men). In their last league match, County won away at Hartlepool with a 94th minute goal.

Last season, The Hatters achieved promotion from League 2. After a fourth-placed finish, they won the play-offs at Wembley. To do this, they beat Rochdale 3-2 in the final. In the 2006/2007 season, Stockport achieved a football League record, winning nine consecutive games, and keeping a clean-sheet in all of them.

Amongst Stockport's current crop of players, is former Scunthorpe defender Michael Rose - who spent some of 2006 on loan at Glandford Park. Tommy Rowe (who has been linked with Manchester United) and Owain Fôn Williams (the Welsh under-21 international goalkeeper) complete a triplet whose performances will have a significant relevance upon Stockport's season.

Scunthorpe United and Stockport County are two teams who haven't played one another in recent times. For instance, while the Iron played in The Championship; Stockport played in League 2, and vice-versa. In fact, the last time that the two sides met was in the 1990-1991 season - almost eighteen years ago. This weekend, Iron boss Nigel Adkins will be hoping that a repeat performance of that season's is not registered - as The Iron lost 5-0.

The match will be pay on the gate for Iron fans. Tickets will be charged at £16 for adults, £11 for concessions and £5 for juniors. Coach travel is available, and is priced at £12.50 (or £11.50 for members).