Scunthorpe United skipper Paul Reid keen to put frustrating absence behind him and concentrate on survival fight

SCUNTHORPE United skipper Paul Reid admits he still hasn't fully shaken off the effects of the virus which saw him miss three games.

Although he had made himself available for the trip to Brentford just over a week ago, the Iron defender finally returned for Saturday's 2-1 defeat to Coventry City.

It was a frustrating absence for Reid, who is now eager to make his presence felt in the nine remaining games as United look to stave off relegation.

"I would say I'm 95 per cent right," said the 31-year-old, who had to have stitches after suffering a cut above his eye in the first minute of the weekend's game.

"The virus really knocked me off my feet.

"I was in bed. I couldn't get out of bed, I didn't have the energy to do anything. I felt terrible.

"Everyone knows I don't miss games easily.

"I did think about trying to get out of bed and make myself available, but the truth was if I'd tried to be a hero and play I would have let the team down because I was nowhere near right.

"They didn't want me around spreading the virus to everybody else, which is understandable.

"I did make myself available for the game at Brentford, but I still wasn't right and the gaffer didn't really want me around the other lads.

"It was just flu-like symptoms. I don't know where I picked it up from.

"My missus had it and my little girl got it as well after me, so ours was a very quiet house. It was like a sick bay at one point.

"I think it's the first game I've ever missed with illness.

"I've never gone down with illness and had to miss a game, so it was a strange one in that way.

"I'm over that now and hoping to help the lads with the nine games we've got left."

Reid concedes time is running out for Scunthorpe to secure their safety, having suffered four defeats in their last five games.

The latest came after they took the lead through Akpo Sodje against the Sky Blues, before the visitors fought back through Carl Baker and former claret and blue loanee Leon Clarke.

They remain two points clear of Oldham and the drop zone, but the Latics still have two games in hand.

It makes tomorrow's trip to bottom-placed Bury a must-win clash for the Iron.

"When those games in hand are played we'll maybe have a clearer picture," said Reid.

"Although we are looking at other results, it would be a lie to say you're not, we've got to concentrate on ourselves.

"We've got a target of at least 50 points. I think it might even take a little bit more, but that's our goal. I think if we do that, we'll be okay.

"I certainly wouldn't say 50 point is a guarantee, which in previous seasons it has been.

"I'm saying we need a minimum of 50 points.

"Let's get to 50 as quick as possible and see if we can add a couple more to that to be absolutely safe.

"We've made tomorrow bigger now with the result on Saturday. We've put pressure on ourselves to get a result now.

"The games are ticking by and we're into single figures now.

"We know we need a minimum of 50 points and we now need to get it from nine games instead of 10."