MIDFIELD man Michael O'Connor will be missing again when Scunthorpe United take on Rotherham tonight.

But the 23-year-old might just get a few minutes on the pitch in Saturday's final warm-up game against Barnsley at Glanford Park.

"We are hoping that Michael will be able to take part in full training tomorrow and Friday," said manager Alan Knill.

"If he does, and he suffers no reaction, then we will maybe give him 10 or 15 minutes on the pitch against Barnsley.

"Then we will have to assess his fitness levels next week ahead of the opening game of the season at Wycombe."

Knill admits though that time is against a player who has yet to feature in any of the Iron's pre-season games after picking up a knee injury on the training ground.

Garry Thompson is also set to miss the clash at the Don Valley Stadium.

But it is not another injury problem that will rule out the 30-year-old.

"Garry will be attending the funeral of a friend of his, so he will not be involved tonight," explained Knill.

"But we are pleased with the progress he has made so far in pre-season."

The absence of Thompson tonight should provide an opportunity for summer signing Jordan Robertson to press his claim for a place.

Two other players expected to feature are full-back Eddie Nolan and midfielder Jimmy Ryan, both of whom have missed the last two games with minor knocks.

Manager Knill will be looking for an improvement on the Iron's pre-season form which has been poor so far.

They didn't impress at either Halifax a fortnight ago, or at Lincoln in the County Cup last Sunday.