SATURDAY'S FA Cup first-round draw will have special significance for David Mirfin.
For the November 11 knockout game could well be a comeback target for the Town centre-back.
The 21-year-old will miss his sixth game because of a thigh injury when Brighton visit in League I on Saturday.
The eagerly-awaited cup pairings will be made at 5.30, half an hour after the 32 fourth qualifying round ties finish.
There is no seeding in a draw which also involves clubs from Leagues I and II, and Town have faced non-league sides in two of the last three seasons.
Manager Peter Jackson's focus will be on the two home league matches before the cup-tie.
Scunthorpe are at the Galpharm on Saturday week, but Mirfin is unlikely to be fit by then.
"Mirf is working in the gym with (physio) Lee Martin, but won't be able to step things up until next week at the earliest," reported Jackson, who has Gary Taylor-Fletcher and Tom Clarke out long-term.
"Ideally we would like him to have a Reserve run-out before considering him for a first-team return. The seconds are at Port Vale on Monday, November 6, so if Mirf does make progress, that could be a possibility."
