Byrne loss will be a 'massive blow'
The defender is likely to be hit with a five-match ban by the Football Association after being sent off for the third time this term in Saturday's 1-0 defeat at Ipswich Town.
Byrne saw red in the 69th minute at Portman Road following an altercation with Tractor Boys winger Jack Colback just inside the Iron half.
It was a decision which looked harsh at the time and was one to which the Irishman pleaded his innocence to manager Nigel Adkins.
Ipswich defender Damien Delaney also saw red 11 minutes after the United man in what was an equally questionable decision.
Byrne, who previously saw red in the away defeats at Middlesbrough and West Brom, declined to comment after the game, but Adkins later revealed it was an incident against which his side would appeal.
With television replays though failing to provide conclusive evidence, it may prove in vain, meaning a 'massive blow' to United's survival hopes.
"Is it a sending off? Isn't it a sending off? We will appeal it," said a defiant Adkins, whose side were sunk by substitute Connor Wickham's injury-time goal.
"Cliff is adamant the player has just run into him from a shoulder charge point of view.
"I haven't spoken to the referee, so I don't know what he has sent him off for. But it was a straight red card, so one can only imagine it is for violent conduct.
"Losing him for five games at this stage of the season would be a massive blow for us."
A further concern to Scunthorpe's survival hopes surrounds top scorer Gary Hooper's fitness.
He sat out the defeat at Portman Road with a groin problem, despite having had two weeks to rest ahead of the game and is likely to miss Wednesday's visit to table-topping Newcastle.
But Adkins is hopeful Hooper will be available for the crunch home clashes with bottom two Plymouth and Peterborough.
"We'll have to wait and see about Gary, but I'd like to think he'll be fit for the home games, which is important," Adkins added.
Cliff Byrne
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