Scunthorpe United hope Bobby Grant will be fit to return to action for Saturday's League One clash with Stevenage.

The nine-goal front man, the Iron's top scorer this term, has missed the last couple of matches after aggravating an ankle injury when coming off the bench during the 2-2 draw with Chesterfield on New Year's Eve.

The need for his return has been heightened by the loss of Connor Jennings to a broken metatarsal in training at the beginning of the week.

Grant is yet to train this week, but manager Alan Knill is confident he will be able to play some part when United return to action at Glanford Park for the first time in 2012.

"Bob hasn't trained but we're hopeful he'll do something at the end of the week," the Iron boss told the Telegraph.

"He was carrying a bit of a knock but then when he came on against Chesterfield he injured it further.

"He opened it up when he went to shoot or something and then disturbed some ligaments and it's been too sore.

"We think he'll definitely be back for the weekend which is good, because we're struggling for players."

Scunthorpe have had as many as 12 players either out injured or carrying knocks this week, including Michael O'Connor (groin) and Jordan Robertson (hip), though both are expected to face Stevenage.

"Knowing Mickey he'll be okay," added Knill.

"He's just like Man Friday at the moment, we wheel him out on a Friday, go through the set pieces with him and then he plays on a Saturday."

Jimmy Ryan is still 'a couple of weeks away' as he gets over a knee injury and striker Matt Godden, who has missed almost the entire campaign because of hip and hernia issues, is said to be 'a long way from playing' despite stepping up recovery work.

There is better news though about Damien Mozika, who returned to training on Monday following an ankle injury that has kept him out of action since the middle of October.

He looked 'well' according to Knill, though was unable to get any pitch time when a behind-closed-doors friendly with Grimsby Town yesterday fell victim to the weather.

Trialists Alieu Darbo, a Gambian winger who has spent the past fortnight at United, and former Nottingham Forest midfielder Robbie Gibbons had both been set to feature in that clash.

Instead, they will remain at Glanford Park, with the Iron keen to have a further look before making a decision on whether to offer either terms.

The Iron are also looking at Ballymena United's Jamie Davidson, an 18-year-old forward who is attempting to secure a move to England.

He has spent the past few days training with the first team.