DAVID Mirfin is likely to soon find himself back in the Scunthorpe United starting line-up.

Manager Ian Baraclough was almost forced to play the defender at Burnley on Tuesday as fellow centre-back Rob Jones battled a virus.

But Mirfin had to be content with sitting on the bench – somewhere he is unlikely to be for long after recovering from a foot injury.

"David's fit now but obviously he's had no games," said Baraclough.

"He maybe would have played at Burnley if Jonah hadn't made it.

"It's good to have someone like him back in.

"It not only gives me options but he is someone who is a consistent performer.

"The squad needs players like him."

Ahead of the trip to Doncaster Rovers on Saturday, Garry Thompson did his chances of earning a second start in a row no harm at all.

He lasted 77 minutes at Turf Moor, his first start since August due to a groin problem.

"It's been a long wait for him," said the Iron boss.

"Three months is a long time for a player to be out.

"In the end he got a touch of cramp, which I was probably expecting a lot earlier.

"But he didn't want to come off and that's the sort of spirit we've got, and the sort of spirit we've got to show until the end of the season."