In another agonising twist for the ever increasing Iron injury list – it’s been revealed that the club have been forced to add keeper Sam Johnstone to the list for the treatment table.
Iron physio Alex Dalton, (and any supporting staff if he has any!), have certainly earnt their pay over the recent weeks, and that only seems set to continue for the near future.
The Manchester United loanee has been a hit during his loan spell in North Lincolnshire: his first ever with a professional club, but his injury is likely to set the 18 year old back somewhat.
Having suffered a dislocated finger in training – it will frustrate the Iron even more owing to the circumstances.
Given the often complex nature of parent club developmental loan spells: the England youth international was actually training with Man Utd on Monday morning when the injury initially occured.
And with such an injury – players would usually just play through the pain, (often with a mild injection to numb it), but this is unlikely to occur with Goalkeepers for obvious reasons.
As such – it is expected that Sam Slocombe will start for Scunny as they travel away to MK Dons this coming Saturday for the crunch League One clash.
Karl Robinson’s men from Buckinghamshire are sitting pretty in 6th, and Alan Knill & co won’t want to take any chances ahead of the extremely difficult tie away to the club we vanquished in the League One Play-off Semis back in May 2009.
Especially when you consider the likelihood of Sam’s injury only worsening – something well worth avoiding for anyone, let alone an 18 year old on loan from Man United.
The management team haven’t yet given up hope of the Preston born stopper from playing, but it is looking increasingly unlikely.
Thus with Josh Lillis still on the treatment table: Slocombe should finally get his chance to prove himself.
The ex-Bottesford Town keeper will be looking forward to his chance, and frankly if he plays well – then deserves the opportunity to further it in more league games.
Eddie Nolan has another ankle knock, and is a further doubt: as is Damien Mozika, albeit the club haven’t yet announced further details re: the Frenchman’s injury. All they would say on the matter is that the club are hopeful that both of them will be fit for Saturday.
Given Andy Wright’s suspension, and Nolan’s doubtfulness – it’s a slight surprise to see no intent to try and bring in a full back on emergency loan. It would seem that the coffers are literally less than empty.
If Nolan doesn’t make it, expect Togwell to be playing at LB: just like he was during the end to the game last weekend in West London.
Having kept our first clean sheet in a mammoth 25 games: Scunny will be hoping to build on this coming Saturday. If we can just combine that with sticking the ball in the onion bag just once – then it’ll be the perfect combination.
Tickets are just a tenner, so make sure that you get on down to Milton Keynes to support the lads. Despite all the injuries we’ve bloody got!
Up the Iron!
Any Old Iron 