STANLEY old boys Bobby Grant and Jimmy Ryan return to the Crown Ground for the first time tonight, warning their Scunthorpe team-mates to expect a real test in the first round of the Carling Cup.

Stanley host League One side Scunthorpe having secured an upset over higher division opposition in each of the last six cup competitions they have entered, and intrigue has been added to the fixture by the presence of both Grant and Ryan in the Iron squad.

Grant joined Scunthorpe when his Stanley deal expired a year ago, while Ryan moved this summer. A fee for the latter may go to tribunal.

Both players hope they will be well received tonight but know the task that Scunthorpe will face.

“We have warned the lads who haven’t played there before,” said Grant.

“I’ve played in games for Accrington against higher division opposition and they will be in our faces.

“I expect nothing less, and if we let them play they can pass the ball.”

Ryan said: “When you look at the ground and the changing rooms, it’s easy for people to think, ‘They aren’t going to be any good’. Big clubs have come and thought, ‘Oh my God’.

“But if you don’t know what Accrington are like, you’ll be in for a shock.”

Ryan was in Scunthorpe’s starting line-up for Saturday’s opening game, while Grant was an unused substitute after struggling to secure regular games in his first season there.

“I always thought it would be nice to go back and play against my old team,” said Grant about tonight’s game. “I’ve got a lot of good friends there, I’ve spoken to a few of them and they’ve been asking if I’m going to be playing or not.

“I don’t know yet, obviously I’d love to play. Friends and family are coming and as a striker it would be nice to score.

“I’ve spoken to people about whether I would celebrate if I scored and I don’t think I probably would, although it would depend on how the game’s going.

“I’ve got a lot of respect for the club.”

Ryan added: “I hope I’ll get a good reception. The three years there were probably my most enjoyable three years in football.”

Stanley v Scunthorpe kicks off at 7.45pm.

Stanley (possible): Sean Murdoch; Dean Winnard, Kern Miller, Kevin Long, Kevin McIntyre; Andy Procter, Luke Joyce; Craig Lindfield, Ian Craney, Charlie Barnett; Kurtis Guthrie.

Scunthorpe (possible): Josh Lillis; Andrew Wright, Michael Nelson, Paul Reid, Eddie Nolan; Jimmy Ryan, Sam Togwell, Michael Collins, Andy Barcham; Jordan Robertson, Bobby Grant.