Scunthorpe v Bournemouth preview
Last Updated: December 7, 2012 12:57pm
Collins: Facing late fitness test
Team news ahead of Saturday's League One clash between Scunthorpe and Bournemouth at Glanford Park.
Scunthorpe could be boosted by the return of midfielder Michael Collins.
Collins has made only four appearances for the Iron this season due to a long-term Achilles injury and although he featured against Gillingham at the beginning of last month he has played no part since.
The Iron will be without skipper Paul Reid again as he sits out the last of a three-game ban following his recent dismissal against Notts County, and fellow centre-half David Mirfin is still out with a knee injury.
Striker Adda Djeziri, a recent loan signing from Blackpool, is hoping to feature in the squad and goalkeeper Steve Mildenhall has recovered from a knee injury he sustained against Bury.
Scunthorpe are chasing their first league win in four matches.
Bournemouth captain Miles Addison will miss his side's clash at Scunthorpe after suffering a foot injury that is expected to sideline him for three to four weeks.
Tommy Elphick and Steve Cook have been Eddie Howe's defensive partnership in recent weeks but with Stephane Zubar struggling with injury the manager is short of cover in that position with the exception of midfielder Joe Partington.
And Howe's squad may make the trip to Glanford Park without two of the first-team regulars. Shaun MacDonald's dead leg and Lewis Grabban's hamstring issue has meant neither have trained this week and both are doubts.
Bournemouth head into the match in 10th place in League One and unbeaten in 12 games in all competitions since Howe returned to the club.
Matches
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npower League 1
Table
npower League 1
| Pos | Team | P | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Doncaster Rovers | 46 | 84 |
| 2 | Bournemouth | 46 | 83 |
| 3 | Brentford | 46 | 79 |
| 4 | Yeovil Town | 46 | 77 |
| 5 | Sheffield United | 46 | 75 |
| 6 | Swindon Town | 46 | 74 |
| 7 | Leyton Orient | 46 | 71 |
| 8 | Milton Keynes Dons | 46 | 70 |
| 9 | Walsall | 46 | 68 |
| 10 | Crawley Town | 46 | 68 |
| 11 | Tranmere Rovers | 46 | 67 |
| 12 | Notts County | 46 | 65 |
| 13 | Crewe Alexandra | 46 | 64 |
| 14 | Preston North End | 46 | 59 |
| 15 | Coventry City | 46 | 55 |
| 16 | Shrewsbury Town | 46 | 55 |
| 17 | Carlisle United | 46 | 55 |
| 18 | Stevenage | 46 | 54 |
| 19 | Oldham Athletic | 46 | 51 |
| 20 | Colchester United | 46 | 51 |
| 21 | Scunthorpe United | 46 | 48 |
| 22 | Bury | 46 | 41 |
| 23 | Hartlepool United | 46 | 41 |
| 24 | Portsmouth | 46 | 32 |
