Goalkeeper Sam Johnstone could have played his last game for Scunthorpe United.

The 18-year-old has spent the past two months on loan with the Iron from Manchester United, but that spell is due to end later this week.

Johnstone has missed Scunthorpe's last three games with a dislocated finger and is waiting to see whether he could be sidelined further after 'hurting it again' while back at the Premier League champions last weekend.

And with back-up Sam Slocombe impressing during his absence, manager Alan Knill admits he is unsure whether Johnstone will remain part of his squad.

"Sam trained at Man U on Wednesday and hurt his finger again," explained the Iron manager.

"We're leaving him now until later this week.

"His loan is up and so we have a decision to make about whether to take him for another month or not, but the first thing is to make sure he's fit."

Although caught out in the build-up to Tranmere's first goal last Saturday, Slocombe recovered well – producing a stunning reaction save to deny Mustafa Tiryaki a second strike in quick succession.

It was the sort of stop that Knill says proves the former Bottesford Town keeper has the composure to become a regular starter.

"You look at the first goal and think that might have been mistake. We'd have liked him to punch it instead of trying to catch," he said of Saturday's game.

"But it's about how you come back from mistakes.

"With it being so early on, he could have gone to pieces, but he didn't. He's a real strong character and has a belief in himself.

"He grew into the game that was a real test for him.

"He's acquitted himself really well and possibly even exceeded expectations in his three games."