Long-term injury-victim Jimmy Ryan could be back in full training at Scunthorpe United by the end of next week.

The mercurial midfielder has started just four games since picking up a knee ligament problem at Walsall in September.

But after undergoing a series of injections, he is hoping to return to play a part in the Iron's busiest spell of the season.

"Jimmy was stepping up his training this week, though obviously the conditions haven't helped," said boss Alan Knill of the former Accrington Stanley ace.

"We want to get him outside on the grass.

"He's not feeling any pain in his knee. He's had some injections for it which have helped a lot.

"Last week he was talking about being back in training in about two weeks, so hopefully he won't be out for much longer.

"In a way you want him back for games, so every week we don't have a game, it brings Jimmy a lot closer to starting and puts more pressure on the players who have shirts."

Knill said Jordan Robertson was 'pretty close' when asked about the striker's chances of being available for the weekend's trip to relegation rivals Yeovil Town.

And while midfielder Michael O'Connor has been suffering from a sore groin, he will also be fit to face the Glovers.

After a season-long list of injury problems, the Iron are starting to see light at the end of the tunnel.

"There's more players training now than in the treatment room, which is exactly what we want," added Knill.

"We want competition for places and you can see training has picked up and is more competitive."