Iron assistant manager Chris Brass says Damien Mozika is 'chomping at the bit' to make a long-awaited return to first-team action.

And that means the rest of League One's midfielders had better watch their ankles.

The former Nancy schemer stepped up his comeback from an ankle problem by playing in a behind-closed-doors friendly with Doncaster Rovers on Wednesday at Rovers' Cantley Park training ground.

If he suffers no reaction to the injury, which has meant he has been unavailable since United's goalless draw at Brentford in mid-October, he is almost certain to be in contention for the Iron's next match – at home to Walsall on February 4.

Mozika has been on the bench for the past two games, though out of necessity rather than choice, and spent almost half an hour working out on the pitch at the end of Tuesday's 3-1 defeat by Sheffield Wednesday.

As a result, Brass says the Frenchman is looking much happier after a frustrating opening to his Glanford Park career.

"He's never had an injury like this one, or been out for such a period of time," said the United coach, when asked about how Mozika had responded to being out for so long.

"At the time, when he went over on his ankle, he thought it was nothing. But with the damage he caused, it's almost been as bad as a break.

"It's been nice to have him back on the training ground, see him smiling again. He really has been chomping at the bit.

"He's the type of player who just wants to get out and start kicking people again. Once he does that he'll be all right."

Brass admits to having almost had to be as much a counsellor as a coach given the amount of frustration some of Scunthorpe's long-term injured players have had to endure.

Mozika and fellow summer signing Jimmy Ryan – who is still a week away from a second comeback from a knee ligament problem – have been two players missing for the longest periods, so the Iron are delighted to see both nearing returns.

"It's a side of football I don't think a fan really sees," added Alan Knill's assistant.

"You hear of players getting injured but when you come on a Saturday and watch an 11, whatever opinion you have of a game is vented to that 11, be it good, bad or indifferent.

"Sometimes you half forget about those that are missing.

"Both Damien Mozika and Jimmy Ryan came here wanting to better themselves, so they've been as frustrated as much as anything with the way things have gone.

"But part of management is being able to sit with them, talk with them and reassure them. We have to keep them going.

"In their position, I would be miffed off at not being out there on a Saturday, helping the lads.

"When Damien did play he scored a couple of goals. He's an athlete and he breaks up football very well.

"The style of football we want to play, he helps and aids us with that.

"Jimmy is a talented footballer. If we can get him fit and playing, he deserves to be playing on a bigger stage.

"We've got to get the best out of Jimmy and then keep the vultures away from him.

"I'm sure Scunthorpe United will benefit from both players."