SCUNTHORPE United may be set to gamble on the fitness of midfielder Michael O'Connor for the opening game of the new League One season at Wycombe tomorrow.

The 23-year-old has managed only 14 minutes on the pitch during the whole of the Iron's build-up campaign.

But manager Alan Knill knows O'Connor's importance to the side and is considering throwing him in at the deep end at Adams Park.

He knows that it is not a risk in terms of the knee injury that has dogged the Northern Ireland international – it is his lack of match fitness that may be a cause of concern.

"Michael has not had a problem with his knee in the week and a half that he has been back with us in full training," said the Scunthorpe boss.

"He is back in the squad now. Whether or not he is back to start is another thing.

"He has missed a big body of work that the other players have had.

"It's hard to put that body of work back into him while the game is still going.

"We have to be really careful with him – but the good thing is that Michael believes he is ready to play.

"And I think just the 10 or 15 minutes he had last week showed the difference he makes to us.

"We know we are a better team with him in it if he is on his game."

Striker Garry Thompson is likely to have to settle for a place on the bench at Wycombe.

"He has had no problems in pre-season but when you have been a year out of the game through injury like he has, then we have to be careful with him," said Knill.

"I still think he is not fully back. That's not possible after so long out.

"We need to be careful with him because the last thing we need is losing Thommo again."

United travel to Wycombe looking for an opening day win away from home for the second successive season.

But the euphoria from last season's 2-1 triumph at Reading soon evaporated as the Iron were relegated from the Championship.

"It's not just 10 or 20 games you are judged on, it's a season's work," said Knill.

"We are in a transition stage at the moment, trying to change the way we play.

"Some are getting it, some aren't.

"But I am delighted the new season is here so we are playing for something rather than playing just to get fit.

"Playing for three points makes a big difference.

"I want us to go out there tomorrow and be competitive – try to stop the opponents from playing and try to play ourselves when we have possession."