Another familiar face at Ninian Park will be former Iron striker Steve MacLean, who was top scorer at Glanford Park in a loan spell from Scottish side Rangers in 2003/04.
He is recovering from a pre-season injury, but is likely to claim a place on the bench.
Cardiff are struggling for home form this season, but have spent a fortune attracting big names to the club - with the likes of Jimmy Flloyd Hasselbaink, Robbie Fowler and Trevor Sinclair all in the squad to face Scunthorpe
United have no fresh injury concerns, with manager Nigel Adkins expected to name the same side which beat Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsbrough in midweek.