Iron aim for top spot return

Though Crosby is expected to pull through, Irish defender Cliff Byrne is on stand-by.

Midfielder Ian Baraclough goes straight back into the side after recovering from an ankle knock and is likely to come in for Cleveland Taylor, who could drop down to the bench.

The Iron are definitely without Steve Torpey (hamstring), Andy Butler (ankle), Lee Ridley (hernia), Jim Goodwin (ligament) and Tom Evans (finger).

United will be hoping that teen strike duo Andy Keogh and Billy Sharp continue their promising form, and veteran left-winger Peter Beagrie believes the pair can take League One by storm.

He told BBC Sport: "We are a team that like to play football and in Billy and Andy have two forwards with pace to burn and a lot of tricks.

"They're very direct and can definitely cause problems at this level.

"They are driven, hungry and willing to learn. They can only get better and hopefully we can hold on to them by getting promotion this year."

Huddersfield boss Peter Jackson, fresh from winning the League One Manager of the Month award for August, has veteran striker Andy Booth (hamstring) and experienced defender Martin McIntosh (knee) missing.

Jackson isn't underestimating the Iron though, he told his club's official site: "We are riding high at the moment, but we cannot get carried away. I won't be and the players won't be because we know there is a long way to go yet.

"We are the form team and the League leaders so people will be looking at us and we will be the team that everyone wants to beat.

"We will train hard this week ready for Friday's game against Scunthorpe United."

United will have to keep their eye on Town striker Pawel Abbott - the Pole had netted in his opening five games, but didn't score in Monday's 2-1 win at local rivals Doncaster. That is no reason for the Iron defence to slack though, as he scored 29 goals in League One last year.

Another familiar face is his strike partner, former Lincoln forward Gary Taylor-Fletcher, who scored a hat-trick in last week's 4-2 Carling Cup First Round romp at Chesterfield. He netted twice for the Imps against the Iron last season.

WHAT YOU PREDICT:

What Iron fans are tipping in the Iron-Bru.net prediction League

Huddersfield win: 26 (2-1 most popular choice)
Draw: 12 (2-2 most popular choice)
Iron win: 12 (2-1 most popular choice)

(Latest predictions as of 02/09)