GO OUT and play – that will be the pre-match message for Scunthorpe as they tackle the Bantams.

It has been a wretched season so far for the Iron, who sit at the bottom of League Two.

Having only clinched safety last season in a dour goalless draw at Valley Parade in the penultimate game, Scunthorpe are once again caught up in a battle for survival.

They have won only two games so far – and not kept a clean sheet in 16 in all competitions going back to a 1-0 win over Tranmere on August 28.

Veteran boss Keith Hill, sacked at Prenton Park between the end of the season and start of the play-offs, was handed the reins at the beginning of the month following the dismissal of Neil Cox.

The 52-year-old is yet to win a game in charge but could sense some signs of hope as Scunthorpe fought back to earn a point from a 1-1 draw against Leyton Orient in midweek.

Bournemouth loanee Jake Scrimshaw equalised within four minutes of coming off the bench and, despite riding their luck as Orient missed chances, Hill feels there is something to build on against City.

He said: "It wasn't the best performance in possession, but out of possession it was the type of energy and commitment that I expect.

“Now I want us to get the ball down and play.

"I want the players to marry it up to get the balance right between in possession and out of possession. Then we'll become a good side.”

Nine of Scunthorpe's 13 points have come at Glanford Park, where they are unbeaten in the last three league games. The last win came against Crawley in October.

Mason O’Malley is set to miss out after coming off injured at half-time on Tuesday. Replacement Alex Perry is expected to keep the shirt.

"What we have to do is maintain the work rate,” added Hill. “I just want that energy.

"The players are putting in a lot of hard work but we have to be able to play.

“I feed off the energy and honesty, and that humble 'I'm very lucky to be a football player' mentality.

"They want more and want to learn, and I think they can grow if they have that attitude."