Big boost for Bentley
THE Shrimps have received a major festive fillip with the news that Kevin Ellison will return for the game at Scunthorpe on Saturday.
The popular front man had been expected to be out until at least New Year’s Day after fracturing his eye socket scoring the winner in the 2-1 victory at Mansfield at the end of November.
But after getting the all-clear from his specialist, the 34-year-old is set to return to the squad for the trip to Glanford Park.
He will be joined by Ryan Williams who has missed the last two weeks with a hamstring problem and Alex Kenyon who is back after serving a one-game ban in the 2-1 victory over Bristol Rovers last time out.
Shrimps boss Jim Bentley said: “It was a good break if there’s any such thing and the specialist was quite pleased with how it’s healed.
“It’s just a matter of whether Kev feels comfortable with it but Kev being Kev, a little bit of pain will never stop him playing.
“He’s back in training so we should have him back.
“He’s ticked over well in the last couple of weeks, he’s been able to do some physical work just not been able to do contact stuff but physically he’s in decent nick.
“He’ll come back into the equation Saturday, as will Ryan and Alex so we’re not looking too bad at the moment.”
Scunthorpe have had an upturn in fortunes in recent weeks since assistant manager Russ Wilcox became caretaker boss after the sacking of Brian Laws.
Bentley said: “That kind of thing happens sometimes with a new manager.
“They were a bit up and down and got knocked out in the FA Cup by their big rivals Grimsby and unfortunately the manager lost his job.
“A new man has gone in and they’ve taken 10 points from 12 so it’s a good return and it would have been 12 without a last-minute goal at Wycombe last week.
“We know they’re going to be full of confidence and are all trying to impress, as is the manager so he can get the job.
“We could be catching them at a bad time in that respect but we’ve got a few bodies back, won last week and are in a decent position so go there with plenty of confidence.”
Chris Doyle and Marcus Marshall picked up knocks in the 3-1 reserve defeat to Carlisle on Wednesday night and will be assessed ahead of the weekend.