Iron loan Toffees forward

Despite the significant delay post the deadline, Scunthorpe United have finally confirmed the signing of young Everton forward Conor McAleny on loan.

The striking protege, highly related on the blue half of Merseyside - will thus remain with us from now until the end of the season.

This is particularly welcome given the injury to Garry Thompson and the fact that Bobby Grant has been sent back on loan to his former club Accrington Stanley.

Conor, still only 19 - will thus go straight into our squad for the home League One clash with Keith Curle's in-form (ish), Notts County this coming Saturday.

A local lad from Merseyside, Conor has so far made 2 substitute appearances for David Moyes' side so far this season, and following Shane Duffy: will be the second Everton player to join us on loan this season.

Alongside Shane Duffy, McAleny was also responsible for announcing the story, (somewhat inadvertently and unintentionally no doubt), on Twitter over 12 hours before either club confirmed the story for true.

So let's just hope that Conor can find a few goals for us between now and the end of the season!

No Ribeiro extension

Despite the Welshman being fairly chipper and hopeful of a loan extension, (and permanent move), in the away end on Tuesday night - Scunthorpe have announced that his loan will not be extended.

As such, the Bristol City full-back has returned to his parent club following his 2 month loan spell.

This is likely to come as a surprise to Iron fans, with the loan window not only shutting today: but Andy Wright - another versatile player, also joining Grimsby on loan today.

This is thus likely to leave Scunny a wee bit shorter of depth at the back than we would have otherwise have liked.

Especially considering that Ribeiro has played reasonably well during his spell thus far - but his 10 league appearances apparently weren't enough to convince Knill to pitch for more.

But with the loan deadline expiring at 5pm tonight: it's anticipated that the saved cash is thus likely to be re-distributed towards another loan signing: hopefully towards a striker.

Chris O'Grady is one name who's been linked with it, but how reliable that is anyone's guess.

We'll just hope that with injuries to Thompson, and departures of Grant, Ribeiro & Wright - that none of them come back to haunt the Iron: who've now managed 4 league draws on the spin in an unbeaten March.

And that starts on Saturday with crunch games against Notts County, and then Chesterfield away the following Saturday.

3 points is a minimum, but is it achievable? Up the Iron!

Wright re-joins Mariners

Despite having made 24 appearances already this season for the Iron, versatile Scouser Andy Wright has joined Scunny's local rivals Grimsby Town on loan for a month.

The full-back, who can also play in midfield, joins the Mariners on loan for the 2nd time in his career: having done the same last season.

Many fans of both clubs would argue that it signifies just how significant Grimsby's fall from grace of recent years has been - what with the North East Lincolnshire club sitting at the top end of midtable in the Conference.

(Could be worse they could be Lincoln!)

The 27 year old, whom the Iron signed from Virginia University - had previously been a mainstay for us so far this season, (and was arguably one of our best players at the start of the season), but has since fallen out of favour following the loan signings of Reckord & Ribeiro - and the return to fitness of skipper Cliff Byrne.

However, following Christian Ribeiro's return to Bristol City, Wrighty's temporary loan move to Blundell Park may still raise an eyebrow or two outside of Cleethorpes worrying about our depth.

This is particularly so given that Bobby Grant has also joined Accrington Stanley on loan of late, and Garry Thompson's groin injury is expected to keep him out for the rest of the season.

Fabrice Muamba

As the situation seems to be increasingly grim, this is just a short post to say that Any Old Iron is 100% behind you, all the best & you can do it! BELIEVE. Pray4Muamba

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