WITH time fast running out on Scunthorpe United's survival battle, teenage defender Niall Canavan accepts the same applies to his chances of securing a place in the first team.

The 19-year-old centre-back still hopes to have a big part to play in the Iron's future, no matter who the next manager might be.

But he acknowledges it might be next season before he gets that opportunity after a campaign dogged by injury.

Canavan started suffering from tendonitis in his knee on the hard grounds during the pre-season build-up and has now not figured at all since the beginning of November.

Since then, United have brought in Michael Nelson and Paul Reid to boost the middle of their back four, and despite this week's departure of Rob Jones on loan to Sheffield Wednesday, there is still plenty of competition for places ahead of Canavan.

"It has been really frustrating," he confessed.

"I picked up the injury at a time when I was looking at a possible run in the side.

"But I have been out now for three or four months and it has been hard."

Canavan was sent to the Football Association rehabilitation centre in Lilleshall for a week and since returning has managed to get a couple of reserve team games under his belt.

"I have been told the injury should eventually fade away but I have learned how to manage it now," he said.

"I know what I need to be doing and the things that I shouldn't.

"Since I have come back to playing again, touch wood it has been okay.

"The more training I get now, the stronger I should get.

"Obviously I would like to get back into the first team before the end of the season.

"But I know time is now running out and there is a lot of competition for places in the centre of the defence.

"If it does not happen for me this season, then I have got to work hard and make sure I am right for the start of next."

Canavan, who has managed just six first team starts in the league this season, was originally brought to the club by Tony Daws and came through the youth ranks with the man now in caretaker charge of the club.

"I have a lot to thank Tony for, for where I am now," the player confessed.

"He will find it strange at first being in charge of the first team, but I am sure he will do a good job.

"He has been a professional himself, so he will know what the players need just now and what they don't need.

"I have seen both sides of him as a manager of the youth team.

"Sometimes he tries to get his point across quietly and sometimes he does get annoyed."

Like everyone else at Glanford Park, Canavan is now waiting to see who will come in as the new manager to replace Ian Baraclough.

"I think some of the lads are a bit apprehensive about what is going to happen next," he confessed.

"We are all in the same boat. We just have to take things day by day and keep pulling together."