Scunthorpe United dealt a blow as midfielder Damien Mozika ruled out for at least a month

SCUNTHORPE United midfielder Damien Mozika has been ruled out of action for at least a month with a hamstring tear.

The 25-year-old pulled up in pain halfway through Saturday's 0-0 draw with Shrewsbury Town and looked in some discomfort as he trudged off the pitch.

Mozika has managed only 12 appearances this season after a long-term ankle injury kept him on the sidelines early on.

And just as the Frenchman was getting into his stride, he has now suffered a further blow.

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"We've been waiting for the scan and have got the report back from that. It tells us that he has a slight tear in the hamstring which will keep him out for probably up to a month," said Iron manager Brian Laws.

"That's the downside of it all; we could be losing Mozika for at least four weeks.

"That's a real disappointment for us because he's an important player for us, he's shown that, and he was getting back to fitness as well, which was pleasing.

"He was making a really good partnership with Michael Collins in midfield.

"Whatever plusses you seem to get, there's always a minus somewhere around the corner, and certainly Mozika's injury has hit us really hard."

Laws at least hopes defender David Mirfin (knee) will soon be back in the first-team after returning to the bench at the weekend, while Josh Walker (ankle) took part in training yesterday.

The manager is trying to arrange a friendly game to ease them both back into action.

"We are trying to set something up but it won't be for this week, maybe next week," he said.

"We'll try to do something, certainly for the benefits we can gain from it, but there's nothing pencilled in just yet.

"We're hoping to get David a game somewhere along the line but in the meantime he's supporting the first-team and is pushing very hard to try to get back in the side.

"Josh Walker trained fully for the first time yesterday, where he's been integrated with the players.

"The players aren't holding back – they're tackling him and challenging him, as you would expect.

"That's the test he needs really because that's the point at which he's at."