After missing both of the league #DerbyDay matches against Grimsby Town last season through two separate injuries, forward Abo Eisa is looking forward to being involved in the latest one this weekend.

The 24-year-old was watching from home on iFollow Iron when Kevin van Veen struck the winner at Blundell Park last season and can’t wait to hopefully be on the pitch for this one, which comes 364 days after that memorable outing. Speaking to iFollow Iron, he said: “I didn’t play in either one of them last season, so I definitely want to play in this one.

“It’s a big day and it’s a shame that there are no fans, but it’s a game we must win for them. Everyone is excited and everyone wants to play. We know how much it means to the fans so we’re going to do our all to get the win.

“We obviously heard the atmosphere and saw how much it meant to the fans last season. I know how much the fans want to get one over on them, and as players we do as well. We will give 100%.

“It’ll be nice going into Christmas if we get a win over them and it’ll give the Scunny fans something to cheer about.”

Eisa has been directly involved in seven goals in his last seven starts for the club, finding the net on four occasions and providing the assist for the other three. In midweek, he did both, netting the opening goal before providing the cross for Jordan Clarke to head in the stoppage time winner against Barrow.

“Like I said before, once I got my first goal, I was always going to kick on and do well,” he stated.

“I’ve obviously got my own targets and it’s good that we bounced back with a win as well after the two defeats. Hopefully, we can take momentum and go again. I always want to do something in every game. Over a long spell, it should add up, but in every game I want to get a goal or an assist (or both) to help the team.

“I feel better now I’ve had a run of games. It’s around about the same time as when I was in good form last season. I feel good, I feel fit and sharp. The Christmas period is always long and the gaffer rested me last week to give me some time off to freshen my legs and I feel better for it, even though I wanted to play.”

The winger ended by highlighting the Iron’s upturn in form in recent weeks, but states it means nothing going into this weekend’s game and the side must show their desire on the day to get three points.

“When it’s a #DerbyDay, it’s about who wants it most on the day,” he said.

“Anyone can beat anyone and we go into it fresh from the win and with good confidence. Form does go out on the window, it’s who wants it more on the day. We need to be at it and hungry.”

See much more from Abo Eisa and Neil Cox in the build-up to #DerbyDay. Click here to subscribe.

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