Skipper Paul Reid has been a big miss, says Scunthorpe United boss Brian Laws

MANAGER Brian Laws is looking forward to welcoming back Scunthorpe United skipper Paul Reid's leadership qualities on Saturday.

The Iron centre-back has been missing for three games following a red card against Notts County last month but comes back into contention for the weekend's trip to Leyton Orient.

He has been sorely missed, according to Laws, who hopes the return of Reid will help tighten up a United side which has conceded eight goals in three games.

"You need the leadership and I think Paul gives you that, for sure," he said.

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"We have missed him. We're not a buoyant side as such, we're a very quiet side and I think his leadership qualities were very much in evidence when he was playing. There's no surprise we were much more solid as a unit and as a team.

"We've missed him but thankfully he is available for us for Saturday."

Reid played in a reserve game against York City last week but had not been due to feature in the postponed clash at Gainsborough Trinity this evening.

A frozen pitch has put paid to that run-out and the weather also meant the Iron were forced to train indoors today.

"We weren't going to play him (Reid) because we couldn't take the risk of him getting injured in that particular game," Laws explained.

"Reidy is a fit lad anyway and he played last week and did a terrific job working with the younger players.

"Looking at the game ahead on Saturday, it's important we have him in our squad."

The United boss was though, still disappointed to see this evening's game called off.

"We're very disappointed not to have a game tonight, there are players who need the games," he added.

"But we can't fight the elements unfortunately and the frost overnight has made it very difficult for us.

"But we've worked hard today and we'll keep plugging away, trying to get another game. We'll try to get one for the early part of next week, hopefully the weather doesn't stop us from playing.

"You can't fight the weather conditions, so we just have to deal with it as it comes.

"We've trained indoors today and we've worked extremely hard, particularly on the physical side of things.

"Sometimes when the elements are as bad as they have been and the pitches are solid, the last thing you want to do is get an injury through that, so we worked indoors.

"We're very fortunate we can train indoors, so it doesn't really affect us if the weather conditions are like this."