Scunthorpe United v Doncaster Rovers: Past history serves to encourage Andy Butler

Darren Ferguson’s side are in freefall after a confidence-sapping 10-match run without a League One win, in which they have taken an alarming three points from a possible 30, all of which has raised the stakes ahead of tonight’s rearranged match.

Rovers are likely to be grateful for any crumb of comfort they can grasp at the minute, with inspection of their vital statistics over a number of years at Glanford Park likely to afford a modicum of hope for those who make the short trip tonight.

All told, Doncaster have lost just once on their past 13 trips to the Iron, winning their last three.

Among that number is former Scunthorpe defender Andy Butler, who makes his return to one of his former clubs and is hoping for better fortune after losing to two of his former employers in Walsall and Sheffield United in recent weeks.

He said: “I’ve been back a couple of times and have got positive results every time I’ve been back so hopefully the trend continues.

“We know where we are at the moment and need a positive result. Players aren’t going to let their heads drop; we’ve got 12 games left, so it’s all to play for.”

Rovers players will wear black armbands tonight in memory of former media manager Steve Uttley, who passed away on Sunday night.

Last six games: Scunthorpe WWLDDD, Doncaster LLLDLL.

Referee: K Wright (Merseyside).

Last time: Scunthorpe 1 Doncaster 2; October 4, 2014; League One.