Brighton v Scunthorpe preview

Can the Iron bring soaring Seagulls back to earth?

Last updated: 5th September 2008

Micky Adams

Adams: Unbeaten opening

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Brighton have burst out of the blocks this season but face a stiff test against improving Scunthorpe.

The Seagulls are unbeaten in their opening four League One games this term, placing them among the early frontrunners.

Scunthorpe suffered a relegation hangover on their arrival in the third tier but have recovered well and have become upwardly mobile of late.

Virgo sidelined

Adam Virgo will be on the sidelines for the clash at the Withdean Stadium.

The former Celtic man, who has hit three goals from midfield this season, suffered a knee injury against Northampton in midweek and, although a scan has revealed no ligament damage, he will be out on Saturday.

Midfielder Steven Thomson is in line to return from the ankle knock which kept him out on Tuesday and could provide a straight swap.

Centre-half Colin Hawkins has shaken off a foot injury and will partner Tommy Elphick or Joel Lynch, who impressed on his first start of the season at Sixfields.

Adam El-Abd (thigh) hopes to resume training on Monday and Adam Hinshelwood is continuing his rehabilitation from cruciate ligament damage.

Adkins changes

Scunthorpe manager Nigel Adkins is set to revert to his first-choice XI when he takes his side to the South Coast.

Adkins rested Joe Murphy, Garry Thompson, Sam Togwell and Gary Hooper for the midweek Johnstone's Paint Trophy win over Notts County, but all four are likely to return.

Club captain Izzy Iriekpen has returned to training but Adkins is yet to decide whether the defender will feature against the Seagulls.

He told the club's official website: "We will see how he settles after the training session."

Fellow defender Kenny Milne is out until Christmas with a knee problem while Joe Wilcox and Andy Crosby will also miss the trip with knee injuries.

The Iron will be looking to maintain their current fine form which has seen them win three games in a row.