Scunthorpe United have been rocked by the news they could be without two of their walking wounded until 2012.

The Iron have revealed the groin problem that ruled Cliff Byrne out of the weekend's 2-1 defeat to Carlisle United is likely to sideline him for three weeks.

And midfielder Damien Mozika, who had been due to return to training today on the back of two months out of action with an ankle injury, has suffered a setback in his recovery – one that could keep him out of action for potentially another FIVE weeks.

"We thought Damo would be back this week though we found out on Saturday he's not going to be," said manager Alan Knill.

"Someone has said he'll be missing for five weeks. I doubt that very much, but we'll just have to wait and see.

"He went for a check-up to make sure everything was okay and they've found the injury not healed properly."

News of Byrne is similarly disappointing for an Iron side in desperate need of some festive cheer on the back of four successive League One losses.

United's club captain looked like he'd never been away when he made his first start in more than 10 months at Notts County just over a fortnight ago.

But a couple of days after that game, the 29-year-old picked up a groin problem in training, one that is likely to have been the knock-on effect of such a lengthy absence.

"Cliff opened his groin last Monday," Knill said of the experienced the full-back.

"We think he's going to be out for three weeks, though hopefully it will be sooner.

"It just seems we get one back and lose another one.

"It's gutting for us because he's a big player and he came back at Notts County and did really well.

"It's also disappointing for Cliff. He's worked really hard to get back and then suffers a setback.

"Let's hope it's not too long."