A cartilage injury is expected to keep former Southend United hitman Martin Carruthers out of promotion-chasing Scunthorpe's trip to Roots Hall tomorrow.

The 29-year-old, who moved north for a cut-price £20,000 fee last season, has netted 15 goals this term, including a strike against Blues at Glanford Park.

However, Carruthers has been sidelined since January after undergoing surgery on his right knee, giving him little chance of lining-up against his old team mates.

The forward's absence has been softened by the form of 15-goal targetman Steve Torpey.

And he should be partnered up front by loan signing from Grimsby Town, Mike Jeffrey, who scored on his debut during a 2-1 win over Carlisle last weekend.

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Published Friday, March 22, 2002