Defender Shane Duffy accepts he has been making mistakes.

But the Scunthorpe United centre-back is confident he is quickly learning from them.

Duffy has been an ever-present at the heart of the Iron defence since his loan switch from Everton last month.

Some sterling performances have earned high praise from manager Alan Knill, though the odd slip has been duly noted.

It is all part of the learning curve for the talented teenager.

"It's just confidence really," said Duffy.

"As each game comes around I'm getting more confident in my ability.

"You just get better the more you play.

"You can only get better when you're playing games and that's what I'm doing at the moment.

"Hopefully that can continue.

"I didn't think Tuesday (a 1-0 defeat to Oldham) was my greatest game, but hopefully I can put that behind me and play well tomorrow against Leyton Orient to help the team get three points.

"I'm making mistakes but I learn from them.

"The manager tells me what I'm doing wrong and what I'm doing well.

"That's good because if I wasn't playing games then I wouldn't be making mistakes and then I wouldn't know what I'm doing wrong.

"I'm still young, I'm still 19.

"Hopefully I can make less mistakes in games, then the club and me can push forward."

Duffy is also benefiting from the experience of Michael Nelson, having had to strike up a new partnership at the back with Paul Reid out injured.

"It's been good," he said.

"We've got two wins with him in the team.

"It was unfortunate for Paul getting injured, but it happens in football and you have to deal with these things.

"Michael's a top professional and is experienced, so he's helped me a lot."