MIDFIELDER Michael O'Connor has had another setback in his battle to be fit for the start of the new season.

And there is now real concern in the Scunthorpe United ranks that the 23-year-old player might not be available for the League One opener at Wycombe a fortnight tomorrow.

That would be a huge blow to the Iron's hopes of getting off to a good start to the season.

But O'Connor, the subject of interest from Peterborough earlier in the summer, is clearly running out of time.

He has not figured in any of United's four pre-season games so far and will not be ready for the County Cup clash at Lincoln on Sunday.

That leaves him just the last two friendlies against Rotherham and Barnsley next week to get his match fitness from zero to the level required for serious first team duty.

"He is able to do some training to keep up his fitness," manager Alan Knill admitted to the Telegraph.

"But he is not able to do any work with the rest of the squad.

"We did try to step up his training, but the problem with his knee has flared up again.

"He has had a scan and we have been told it is nothing serious – but obviously it is a concern.

"Michael is an important player for us and has not really kicked a ball yet.

"But we still haven't given up hope that he will be ready for the opening game."

O'Connor picked up his injury on the training ground during the first few days of pre-season work.

He has bruising under his kneecap which is proving difficult to heel.

The player missed the best part of three months of last season with knee ligament trouble, but the current problem is not related.

But while doubts continue over O'Connor, the signs are much more hopeful for United that striker Garry Thompson is finally over his long-term injury problems.

He played the final 30 minutes at Halifax last Saturday and the first 45 minutes at Gainsborough on Wednesday night.

"We are pleased with the progress Garry is making, but we still have to treat him carefully," said Knill.