O'Neill joined Southend on loan for the second half of last season but it was cut short when he was injured in his first game, being substituted before half time. He returned to Burnley and didn't play again for the remainder of the season.
He feared the same this time when he suffered an ankle injury playing for Scunthorpe against Chesterfield. He once again returned to Turf Moor but thankfully the injury was not as serious as first thought and he missed just one game before returning to Glanford Park.
"When I suffered that injury a lot of thoughts went through my head," he told their local paper. "Being injured is horrible and 23 weeks (the time he was out last season) is a long time because you don't want to be sidelined but you want to be out on the pitch playing.
"However, I have had very good people around me and once the swelling went down I knew I was going to be OK."
Speaking about his loan, he said: "The right back at Burnley was one of our best players last season but I felt I have done really well since I came to Scunthorpe and I want to show what I am about.
"I am always up for the fight but I am full of confidence. I have had my ups and downs since being here but I think Tuesday's victory showed what the team is all about."
O'Neill signed initially for three months but has said, should the opportunity arise, he would be happy to stay for the remainder of the season. "I have settled in fine and been made to feel very welcome and part of the set up here. All the lads and management here are fantastic," he added.
The right back, signed from Mansfield in the summer of 2012, signed a new two year deal with the Clarets this summer.