Stanton is only fresh injury worry

Last updated : 09 September 2005 By Chris Mumby
Keogh
Keogh
Cliff Byrne is on stand-by should Stanton miss out through injury, otherwise Laws will pick the same side that romped to a 4-1 win at Huddersfield last Friday night.

It's the game of the day in League One as United and Vale go into the match knowing that victory for either side, coupled with Brentford failing to beat MK Dons at home, will see the winner go top of the table.

Matt Sparrow, who scored as a substitute in the win over the Terriers, is vying with Cleveland Taylor for the right-wing berth.

Richie Ryan will continue alongside Ian Baraclough in central midfield, whilst the two-pronged attack of Andy Keogh and Billy Sharp will continue to lead the line in the absence of long-term hamstring injury victim Steve Torpey.

Keogh has netted three times in his last two starts, whilst Sharp has shown he is not all about scoring goals, setting up two of the strikes in last week's win at Huddersfield, and netting three for the season so far since his debut at Nottingham Forest three weeks ago.

Iron boss Brian Laws is delighted by the impact made by his new strike duo and he hopes they can continue their match-winning form.

"They are two very good young strikers; their combined age is less than mine, so working with them is keeping me young," Laws told the League Manager's Association website.

"They have started the season well and are one of the youngest strike forces in the league but they are also very energetic and talented. I’m sure they’ll cause a lot of problems.”

United will still be missing Steve Torpey, Andy Butler, Jim Goodwin, Lee Ridley and Tom Evans.

Port Vale manager Martin Foyle has had injury problems of his own to contend with in recent games. Last week, eight players were missing from his side for their 2-0 home win over Rotherham.

Mickey Bell, George Abbey, Mark Innes and Lee Matthews are all expected to be fit, while Foyle will also have Chris Birchall available after the winger missed last Saturday's game with Rotherham because of international commitments. Ex-Iron Michael Walsh (thigh problem) and broken-leg victim Hector Sam are both defintely missing from Foyle's side.

This leaves only Billy Paynter and five-goal top scorer Nathan Lowndes fit enough to start up front.

Foyle has been trying to sign a loan striker this week, but whether one will sign in time for Saturday's game remains to be seen. 21-year-old Paynter has his confidence fully restored after scoring his only goal of the season so far against Rotherham last Saturday.

He told the Vale's official website: "I heard somebody say on the radio that Saturday's game at Scunthorpe is an early season six-pointer, but I think all games are six-pointers because you¹ve got to win them.

"Every team is going to be strong this season and it's going to be a tough league to get out of, but if we go about it right and we are strong, we can come away with something on Saturday.

"They had a great result at Huddersfield and they've surprised a few people, but they are a strong side and I think they will do well this season," he added.


WHAT YOU PREDICT:

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

Iron win: 34 (2-0 most popular choice)
Draw: 4 (2-2 most popular choice)
Port Vale win: 2 (2-1 most popular choice)

(Latest predictions as of 09/09)