Scunthorpe v Grimsby preview

Can the Mariners avoid further heartache against the Iron?

Last updated: 7th October 2008

Scunthorpe Nigel Adkins April 26

Adkins: Leading Scunthorpe's charge

Scunthorpe will be confident of piling more misery on hapless Grimsby in the second round of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy.

The Iron have gone unbeaten through their last eight games in all competitions, helping themselves to second spot in League One.

In contrast, Grimsby are yet to win a League Two fixture this season and new boss Mike Newell faces a tough task if he is take the Mariners to consecutive finals.

Scunthorpe team news

Joe Murphy, Grant McCann and Krystian Pearce will all be absent for Scunthorpe on Tuesday night.

Goalkeeper Murphy, midfielder McCann and defender Pearce are all away on international duty with the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland and England U19s respectively.

Murphy would have missed out against the Mariners in any event as he serves a one-match ban following his red card during the 2-2 draw at Leyton Orient on Saturday.

He will be in contention to face Crewe at the weekend but McCann and Pearce will still be away on international duty and will miss out again.

Josh Lillis will deputise for Murphy, while Garry Thompson and Kevan Hurst (both patellar tendonitis) are major doubts.

Michael Lea suffered a broken rib in training last week and is unlikely to feature and Kenny Milneremains out of action with a knee complaint.

Grimsby team news

Malvin Kamara is ruled out of Grimsby's midweek trip to Glanford Park.

The on loan Huddersfield midfielder is ineligible to feature for the Mariners in the competition under the terms of his loan spell at Blundell Park.

Striker Tomi Ameobi, who is on loan from Doncaster, has permission to play and should continue to lead the line in attack as caretaker boss Stuart Watkiss prepares for his final game in charge before new manager Newell officially takes over on Wednesday.

Paul Bolland (knee) and Richard Hope (groin strain) will miss out as the Mariners bid to bounce back from Saturday's 4-1 defeat at Rotherham.

Last season, Grimsby reached the Johnstone's Paint Trophy final before losing 2-0 against MK Dons at Wembley.

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