Scunthorpe United wait for all-clear on Paul Reid as return to action nears

Skipper Paul Reid could be on the verge of returning to action for Scunthorpe United.

The Iron defender has been sidelined with a broken bone in his right hand, but goes to see a specialist tomorrow with the hope he will be given the all-clear.

Reid suffered the injury during the club’s pre-season trip to Ireland and was forced to undergo surgery to correct the problem, subsequently wearing a lightweight cast.

Saturday’s home game with Sheffield United could come too soon for the centre-back, but assistant boss Chris Brass hopes a first appearance of the season for Reid won’t be far away.

“Reidy sees the specialist tomorrow, hopefully he gets the green light and will be able to up everything and possibly be available for selection soon,” he said.

“People like that stepping forward and just being around the place gives you, as a manager, the lift that’s needed.

“You go, ‘great, we’re getting another extra good body around us’.

“It makes the squad healthier and it gives the players a lift.

“He’s been working ever so hard.

“We’ll have to see what the specialist says.

“The pleasing thing is Niall Canavan has stepped forward and I think he’s done well. That starts to breed competition for places; no-one’s guaranteed a shirt.

“And it starts to put the pressure on, knowing that Paul Reid’s going to be available and fit for selection.

“You need that right across the spectrum.”

Callum Kennedy too, is ruled out for United due to a fractured toe, though Brass admitted it is difficult to put a date on his return.

“It’s one of those where it will be dictated by pain,” he said. “He’s played through it with pain and then did it again.

“He actually did it against Derby; unfortunately it flared up again and it’s playing within the pain parameters. And also, it needs to heel.

“The trouble is, you can’t put it into a pot or anything like that, it is just resting it.

“I think he’ll have to get it X-rayed again to make sure it’s settling and healing right.

“No-one knows how long it’s going to be.

“A fracture, they normally say six weeks. It’s not going to be six weeks, but that’s what they normally say with any kind of fracture.

“I’d be disappointed if it’s three from when he actually did it, but I really don’t know.”

With the squad stretched, it means few changes will be likely in tonight’s Johnstone’s Paint Trophy clash with Notts County.

Brass though, sees the game as a chance to record a timely boost following four successive league defeats.

“You go into a game like this and it’s just working on principles you want to take into the league,” he said.

“Sometimes it can get in the way, other times you can try one or two different things and sometimes rest people. But ultimately it’s a game you can win.

“If we can get something out of the game tonight, it takes us into Saturday and a big game against Sheffield United with something to build on.

“It’s an exercise of getting back to winning ways and having a look at one or two things without messing too much with the structure of the team."