LOUIS Carey admits the season has been a "nightmare" on both a personal and team level, but is adamant that the best is yet to come from Bristol City.

The defender and club captain has not kicked a competitive ball for the Robins since last May after a bizarre heel injury ruled him out for all of pre-season.

Added to that, the Robins, who had to overcome manager Steve Coppell's resignation after one league match, have not yet won a game so far.

But Carey, who dropped a barbecue on his heel in June in one of the most bizarre sporting injuries of all time, could be back at Scunthorpe United on Saturday to add his experience to City's backline.

In his first interview since last season, the Bristolian said: "It has been a bit of a nightmare with the freaky injury. It has taken a lot longer to heal than we thought it would.

"I have trained for the last three or four weeks and I have played a couple of reserve games. I feel all right now, so hopefully, I will be available for selection at Scunthorpe."

Carey has been an unused substitute on three occasions since returning to training. So has he felt a sense of helplessness?

"You don't feel helpless, because the lads that are playing are more than capable, but it is frustration at not being able to play," he said.

"The international break has killed us, because you want to get on a roll, but the whole season stops and, after four or five games, you don't need a rest.

"I don't think we have seen the best of the whole team or the whole squad."

Carey feels for new boss Keith Millen, who has been thrust into the top job following Coppell's surprise exit.

He said: "We had an awful pre-season in terms of results and injuries and the change of manager.

"People have to realise it is hard for the new gaffer to change things, bring his own players in and stamp his authority on the team because of the lack of matches. We definitely haven't seen the best of the team yet.

"We haven't had a fully fit squad. It has been a bit of a nightmare.

"At least the break has given us a chance to do a bit of fitness work and work on the shape of the team and, hopefully, we can use the time well."

City have lost on two of their last four trips to Glanford Park, including a 3-0 defeat there last April that helped keep the Iron in the Championship and finally killed off City's remote play-off hopes.

"It is a really hard place to go," said Carey. "Last time they were playing well at the time and it was a massive game for them to stay in the Championship.

"It is a place we have struggled at in the past, but hopefully we can go there and get a better result this time."

Carey has been named in City's squad for tonight's Rob Cousins testimonial match at Paulton Rovers (7.30pm).

Bristol City (from): Gerken, Edwards, Ribeiro, Carey, T Williams, Lennox, Johnson, Campbell-Ryce, Clarkson, Haynes, Hoban, Keohane, Ball.